The forth guest lecture

Jane Davidson

The forth guest lecturer I will be discussing is from the former Minister of Education in Wales Jane Davidson. In her lecture she outlined the history of education in the UK and her role in the National assembly. Jane also spoke about her books 'The learning country' and 'The learning country vision into action' and her aims for education in Wales.

History

In 1983 the national curriculum was introduced into the UK. Children were divided at the age of 11. The O levels stream would go on to higher education. CSEs can’t go on. Margret Thatcher wanted everyone to do one curriculum. SATs were introduced at age 7, 11 and 14.

The whole education system at that time was about structure. Teachers were angry about the lack of freedom to teach pupils what they want. In 1997 the new Labour Government was introduced ‘Education, Education, Education.’ Between 83 and 97 there was an improvement to the structure (training them not teaching them) but there was no freedom to learn. However, there were increasing ideas that the national curriculum was too restricted and had to change. In 1997 there was a National Assembly referendum in Wales.  In 1999 the National Assembly came into being. The set of members determined for change. There were two committees set up pre age 16 and post age16. From 1999-2000 there were two education ministers, however, the National assembly realise that this did not make sense and there became one First Minister of Education Rhodri Morgan (2000).

Policies and Vision

Jane Davidson believed that education is about skills and life-long learning. All policy on education was passed through England before the National Assembly was developed. Devolution has had a massive impact on education in Wales. Jane Davidson believed that Education is the root out of poverty. In order for us to be a wealthy country she believed that we need education.

Davidson, J (2001) ‘Education and training are of the first importance for Wales- they liberate talent, extend opportunity, empower communities and help create wealth.’ (p.1)  

Jane Davidson set out a new agenda in ‘Learning Country’. This new agenda was to help support teachers and to promote life-long learning. This would now be a link from primary and secondary schools. In secondary schools and other further education centres the Welsh baccalaureate was a highway of access for 14-19 year olds. Jane Davidson believed that this would help the schools, colleges and universities to work together. The new agenda set out the ‘pupil voice’ by creating school councils. This increased the participation of the learner. The learning country stated that income in Wales is lower than that of the rest of the UK. This would explain why Wales has fewer people with NVQ 4 degrees. However, the ‘Learning Country’ emphasises that it doesn’t matter the background of a person, that everyone should have equal opportunity to learn. This would not only help people to move into the education system but also allow them to have a better way of life and it would raise standards.

Jane Davidson introduced new ideas and frameworks into her policy. These are:-

·         To be more investment in schools.

·         The foundation phase introduced. This would be the new curriculum framework for those aged 3-7 years old. Jane Davidson set this up as she believed that “Habits are formed early”.

·         Free breakfast for all

·         Welsh baccalaureate

·         Bring class sizes down

·         Additional grants for poorer people

Jane Davidson stated that there were various principles that outlined each key aspect of education. These are:-

·         High standards

·         Purity of esteem

·         Teaching inequality

·         Encouraging innovation

·         Helping teachers

·         Being distinctive

·         Evidence based

This philosophy was well accepted in the education sector particularly in Wales. This strategy was to last for ten years 2001-2010. Much of which is still part of the education system today. Jane Davidson believed that with this strategy, people will have a passion to learn for life. The learning country and her strategy was to develop vision, and use opportunities given to us, and put action into place.

Learning country still underpins where education is going. However, the new First Minister of Education and skills, Leighton Andrews has placed the emphasis now on education and skills. He believes that, “Education is always political”.

It was once stated by Plato

 “Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”