A class of his own

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CYNICS who questioned whether Keith Joseph could do the same job for the education service that he accomplished for industry in his previous ministry must now be confounded. It was a difficult feat but he seems to have accomplished it..

The lowest level of manufacturing output for 15 years might seem a hard act to follow. But with his rejection of a complaint from Surrey parents that teeir county council was failing in its statutory duty, we have entered a new epoch in educational theory.

What the nihilists of the 60s failed to achieve, "No more teachers, no more books" , Sir Keith has accomplished at a stroke.

He did not dispute any of the detailed evidence from Surrey of shortage of teachers and books, of school buildings in a state of crumbling disrepair, but he did reiect their interpretation of the minimum standards laid down by the Education Aits. These. it seems, involve a substantial element of judgement. and other factors, such as curreni educational practice also had io be taken into consideration.

In other words it it is the norm for schools i be deprived of teaching rel and materials. then ina? 1s the minimum vandard should maintain.

This philosophy opens up whole vistas of unimagined possibilities in other areas. Just think, if current medical practice is that sick people should be left to die for want of medicines, What enormous savings become possible.

JUST to prove that Sir Keith is no lone pioneer, how about this quote from Angus Maude:

"It has always been far 100 a pensive io improve the ad gional standard, vi i -king alas children signifQuite n

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Socialist Organiser, Thursday February 25, 1.982 Page 4 * Worc tews