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"Longer School Days Needed To Boost Poor, White Children's Results"

8 replies

AnnieLobeseder · 18/06/2014 09:16

So apparently, poor white children are falling behind their non-white counterparts and the solution to this problem is to force all children to spend longer hours at school Hmm.

Now, I know the government has previously suggested longer school hours, though if I remember correctly, at that time they made it clear it was to allow parents to "get back into work". The idea was roundly criticised for all kinds of sensible reasons, like SAHPs really not wanting their children in school for longer, and worries about the institutionalisation of children.

So the sceptic in me can't help but thinking this is the same plan, to get children in school longer so that the lazy plebs have fewer excuses not to be "hardworking" (how the Tories love that pointless phrase) and get out of the foodbanks and into work. But this time, they've paid attention to the results of the recent European elections, realised that far too many of the population are xenophobic and racist, and are playing on that to get their idea pushed through. "We needs longer school hours or those nasty foreign children will do better than your children and take their jobs!!"

Or is it just me?

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OneLittleToddleTerror · 18/06/2014 09:26

I don't see how longer school hours can help at all. They specifically mentioned the two ethic groups with very high academic achievements (Indians and Chinese). It's a cultural attitude towards school and that's the fundamental issue that needs to be changed. Not school hours.

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OneLittleToddleTerror · 18/06/2014 09:26

I mean I don't believe white working class children are doing any worse than say black carribean or bangladashi children, for example.

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PinkSquash · 18/06/2014 09:32

Trying to bring days in line with private schools but with no decrease in term length.

It's the British culture of education that's at fault, it needs a huge shift and this isn't going to do it.

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Retropear · 18/06/2014 09:43

One White working class kids do worse than all other ethnic groups.

Considering many are poor it's down to attitude not money.

Quite frankly I'm getting sick of other families taking the fall out for a few.So not content with the lunch box police and millions spent on free school dinners because some choose to feed their kids crap,holiday fines because of truants we now have all kids looking at longer days because some parents can't be arsed to ensure their kids reach their full potential at school.Oh and then they like to demonise the white parents who do push their kids.

Sorry I preferred Wilshaw's idea of fining parents who let their kids down as regards ensuring they do well at school.

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AnnieLobeseder · 18/06/2014 09:43

Exactly, OneLittleToddleTerror, it's all about the emphasis the parents place on education, and Indian and Chinese parents are known for pushing their children to achieve academically. Shoving all children into school for longer will not make one jot of difference with no backup from home.

This whole push for children to be sent to school even younger when we already start them 2 years before the rest of the world, and to keep them in school for longer hours is crazy! Just let them be children with lots of free time to play and rest. They will all just burn out with all this pointless pushing for more time at the school desk.

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Bluebelljumpsoverthemoon · 19/06/2014 17:21

Cultural problems need to be dealt with by targeting the problem, not using it as an excuse to push through unpopular policies. These kids aren't going to be helped by being kept in school for longer hours, that isn't the cause of their problems.

Parents who have no books in the house, who don't read to them, who have the TV blaring 24/7, feed them crap nutritionally deficient foods, don't give them a proper bedtime or make sure they get enough sleep, use TV and computer games as permanent babysitter, have no organisation in their home/life, don't give them breakfast in the morning, have no, expectations, work ethic or appreciation for the importance of education, don't speak to them enough and don't provide discipline or teach them socially attractive behaviour are the problem. Not to mention the damage already done to their brains by exposure to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs while developing in the womb.

If the government area to help these children they need to demand minimum standards from parents with huge penalties for those whole fail to provide basic care. They also need to improve the quality of education not increase the quantity. Getting violent kids and others who can't behave out of the classroom and into specialised settings would allow the willing majority to be taught while those with problems can get the help and attention they need.

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aproudmum · 19/06/2014 21:35

If like me you disagree with longer school hours please sign and share:

you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/change-of-hours-for-schooling

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boxprince · 19/06/2014 21:37

Giving children more of what doesn't work for them won't help. Schools need adequate funding and training for teachers.

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