Body & Soul0 min ago
Can Teachers Be Trusted These Days?
Earlier today, whilst in the car, I listened to LBC on the wireless. Sheila Fogarty was the host.
The discussion was today's election results. A young girl from Lincoln, named Isabel, was 17 years old and in 6th Form at school. She announced that the school had held an election and the results were very similar to last night.
No problem there. What I found extremely disturbing was the fact that Isabel stated her teachers were all left wing and Labour supporters. Ms Fogartey asked how she could possibly know that. The young girl stated most of their teachers virtually brainwashed the students. They told the students how they dealt with Tory door knockers at the build up to this election.
I have heard plenty of disparaging remarks about teachers, and their left wing views, on this site and have mainly ignored them.
If Isabel was telling the truth then I worry more about my Grand Daughter's future with teachers that she described than any perceived climate change problems.Will Greta's teacher stand up and explain?
The discussion was today's election results. A young girl from Lincoln, named Isabel, was 17 years old and in 6th Form at school. She announced that the school had held an election and the results were very similar to last night.
No problem there. What I found extremely disturbing was the fact that Isabel stated her teachers were all left wing and Labour supporters. Ms Fogartey asked how she could possibly know that. The young girl stated most of their teachers virtually brainwashed the students. They told the students how they dealt with Tory door knockers at the build up to this election.
I have heard plenty of disparaging remarks about teachers, and their left wing views, on this site and have mainly ignored them.
If Isabel was telling the truth then I worry more about my Grand Daughter's future with teachers that she described than any perceived climate change problems.Will Greta's teacher stand up and explain?
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It's certainly no surprise that most teachers are left-wingers. (The Guardian is the daily newspaper that's found in almost every school staff room).
I very much doubt though that the majority of 6th form students are open to 'brainwashing'. Young people are far more likely to challenge the ideals of their teachers than to simply absorb them.
Back in my own teaching days, I was a strong Conservative supporter but one of my 4th form pupils was the son of a prominent Labour activist. He shared the political views of his father (and not, I'm sure, because of any paternal 'brainwashing') and we spent many hours at breaktimes arguing our points against each other. His father was fully aware of our discussions and welcomed them because he wanted his son to hear both sides of every argument.
[Party politics loomed large in the running of our school, as the Chair of the Governors was a certain D Blunkett, whose son also attended the school!]
I very much doubt though that the majority of 6th form students are open to 'brainwashing'. Young people are far more likely to challenge the ideals of their teachers than to simply absorb them.
Back in my own teaching days, I was a strong Conservative supporter but one of my 4th form pupils was the son of a prominent Labour activist. He shared the political views of his father (and not, I'm sure, because of any paternal 'brainwashing') and we spent many hours at breaktimes arguing our points against each other. His father was fully aware of our discussions and welcomed them because he wanted his son to hear both sides of every argument.
[Party politics loomed large in the running of our school, as the Chair of the Governors was a certain D Blunkett, whose son also attended the school!]
I would assume Isabel's Sixth Form is like most others and students are treated like the young adults they are - therefore open and grown up discussion is fine and even personal opinions shared.
However, her accusations of brainwashing (which is out of order) will no doubt cause some more media attention now and hopefully acted upon.
However, her accusations of brainwashing (which is out of order) will no doubt cause some more media attention now and hopefully acted upon.
Some hypnotists have said they can't make someone do something they wouldn't normally do under hypnosis, so I reckon you can suggest strongly to people certain things and a small percentage might follow up on it - but is that something they would normally do anyway?
I think Isabel said virtually brainwashing to get a reaction and is there proof she is actually 17?
I think Isabel said virtually brainwashing to get a reaction and is there proof she is actually 17?
this is kind of an incoherent question...first a shedload of hearsay, then an allegation (brainwashing) which the facts seem to disprove, then up pops Greta. Now I hold no brief for this girl (Greta) I have said on here before that i believe that she is being used and I hope that its with her consent and understanding....but from a phone in on LBC to Greta's teacher is surely a bit of a leap even for AB?
Teachers are not all left-wing (to my knowledge) but they are all extremely concerned about funding, as am I, and I am most certainly no Corbynista. I began teaching in 1972 and things are tighter than I remember since the late 1990s (I keep in touch because I volunteer in my local Academy) e.g. 4 T.A.s (all efficient and effective) were forced to apply for 1 job in July. This school has 24% autistic pupils and is supposed to have funding accordingly. Unsurprisingly things are not going too well and teachers are frantically trying to fill the gaps.
That's one side of it. By nature, teachers care about the well-being of their pupils - which tends to put them on the left-ish side. Another consideration is that the profession has changed. Older people find the pace of change and the pressures far too much to live with (a friend had a minor stroke the day before term began in Sept. - the result of stress) and the teachers now tend to be younger and so more inexperienced and radical. There used to be much more of a balance in a school.
Add to this the turn-over rate, where youngsters only stay about 5 years and are then replaced by other 'wet-behind-the ears' (for the most part) cheaper, just-starting, teachers.
Result - a balance in favour of enthusiastic, fairly radical, only-just-ex-students. (Who, by the way don't seem to understand basic English rules - I correct my Grandson's grammar and he says that his, very nice and committed, young teacher doesn't do that!).
I am not sure how this answers the question, except to explain some of the perceived bias. In my experience, the young teachers realise very quickly the realities of life and I have never, ever come across a school where teachers were all Labour supporters. It would be anathema to most to attempt to 'brainwash' - but broad thinking is always to be encouraged - you can't teach one point of view.
Does this help, hope so, I am as disturbed by Isabel's statement as you. That should not be so....perhaps some were in shock? Still inexcusable if true and not misinterpreted.
That's one side of it. By nature, teachers care about the well-being of their pupils - which tends to put them on the left-ish side. Another consideration is that the profession has changed. Older people find the pace of change and the pressures far too much to live with (a friend had a minor stroke the day before term began in Sept. - the result of stress) and the teachers now tend to be younger and so more inexperienced and radical. There used to be much more of a balance in a school.
Add to this the turn-over rate, where youngsters only stay about 5 years and are then replaced by other 'wet-behind-the ears' (for the most part) cheaper, just-starting, teachers.
Result - a balance in favour of enthusiastic, fairly radical, only-just-ex-students. (Who, by the way don't seem to understand basic English rules - I correct my Grandson's grammar and he says that his, very nice and committed, young teacher doesn't do that!).
I am not sure how this answers the question, except to explain some of the perceived bias. In my experience, the young teachers realise very quickly the realities of life and I have never, ever come across a school where teachers were all Labour supporters. It would be anathema to most to attempt to 'brainwash' - but broad thinking is always to be encouraged - you can't teach one point of view.
Does this help, hope so, I am as disturbed by Isabel's statement as you. That should not be so....perhaps some were in shock? Still inexcusable if true and not misinterpreted.
it's never helped that for the last 50 years, each successive administration has sought to model education in the vision of the latest faddy thinking. starting with the Wilson government's Plowden Report in 1967, changes in educational thinking and delivery have washed over schools like waves rolling on to a beach. and doubtless it will continue as (so far) no incoming administration has been able to resist interfering.
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