We hear phrase “market failure” often enough – but (as Michael Prowse once said) government failure is far more common. The most egregious example is education – and David Cameron says in his press conference today with Michael Gove. Here are a few facts they highlight today in their document (read it here):
1) Some 140,000 pupils were suspended from secondary schools for violence or persistent disruption in 2005/06. Many end up in the cells – almost 100,000 under-18s are given custodial sentences.
2) Suspensions for physical assault (in primary schools) is about twelve times higher in deprived areas than in the least-deprived ones. The scourge of school violence is focused on the poorest neighbourhoods.
3) Rather than police this, teachers are themselves investigated – as the targets of false allegations. Some 59% of head teachers say that false allegations have been made against them or their staff within the last three years.
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