June 3: Why KCC is taking flak over recruitment of 12 primary school advisers
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One of the
apparently intractable problems that has faced KCC over the years
has been the issue of improving classroom standards in its primary
schools. For as long as I've been covering County Hall affairs, the
challenge has always been recognised as important but despite
initiative after initiative, the results have pretty much flatlined
(in contrast to the significant improvements registered in
secondary schools).
So you can understand why the authority has strongly defended
its decision to appoint 12 senior primary advisers on salaries of
up to £70,000.
Row as KCC recruits £70k primary
advisers: read our story here>>>
The problem is that it is happening at a time when there is
great unease and resentment over a wider shake-up in childrens
services that will mean 260 posts being axed in the department,
including some very sensitive roles in advisory and support
services for vulnerable children.
Consultation on this has recently ended and the responses from
staff and schools have proved largely hostile, with large numbers
of staff affected raising some serious concerns about the
detrimental impact the changes will have, especially on support for
vulnerable children.
As a result, the publication of the final proposals have been
delayed for a third time while education chiefs deliberate on the
consultation responses.
And the delay has only served - understandably - to demoralise
and frustrate those likely to be affected. Indeed, one letter I've
seen talks about "an unprecedented wave of frustration and
demoralisation arising from the way the process has been
conducted."
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Congratulations to Adam
Holloway, the Gravesham Conservative MP who had the honour
of being among the first backbenchers to tackle the PM during
Question Time.
Shame he came up with such a lame question which was clearly
designed to give Mr Cameron the chance to knock the previous Labour
government. I wonder why he didn't choose to raise an issue that
was directly relevant to his constituency? And I wonder what his
constituents will make of him passing up the opportunity to do
so.
Kent MP tackles PM - over previous
government's expenditure on golf balls>>>
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Thursday, June 03 2010
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