Michael Gove means business. His case is simple: standards have fallen; it is time to be
radical. Under Labour, Britain fell from 4th to 14th for science, from 7th to 17th for literacy and from 8th to 24th for mathematics. With a fervour that was nothing short of zealous, Gove promised
that the ‘injustice will end’.
His ministerial career has had a difficult start – his message often lost under Ed Balls’ righteous indignation. Having faltered, he is beginning to re-direct his rhetorical emphasis to more fertile ground. Where once he wanted to empower parents, he now wants to empower teachers – no doubt to attract recalcitrant teaching unions to his cause.
Gove re-introduced his New Deal for Teachers. Teachers will be able to control their classrooms by restraining unruly pupils; headmasters will have the capacity to exclude perpetual trouble-makers. There is to be wide-ranging curriculum reform: including the introduction of a baccalaureate and restoring British history as a core subject.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in