Saturday, March 01, 2008

Once more unto the breach

I have probably posted too much on the terrible decision by the government to remove funding from students who study for "equivalent or lower qualifications" in higher education, which will have a disproportionate effect on adult education. However, it is deeply damaging to something I care about (and earn my living from). I am in the process of writing to my MP again on the issue in the light of the release of the minutes of the latest meeting of the Higher Education Funding Council for England's Board.

These minutes make HEFCE's unease apparent and it is clear that the government is totally isolated. All informed opinion, apart from one right-wing loon, is vehemently opposed. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are having nothing to do with such nonsense; it is only the English that will have to put up with it. Nothing deters them though. They are determined to sail towards the iceberg and when it hits they will no doubt talk up the vital importance of mass drowning to a fairer society.

Why do this? Why do they persist? I suppose much is tied in with the games political parties and the media play. All I can say is that a government that persists in error in order to convey an image of strength is, in fact, weak. It is one that has abandoned wisdom in favour of macho posturing.

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