Education - class segregation grows

A REPORT published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families shows a growing segregation between rich and poor in education since Labour came to power. It says that state education is increasingly segregated along class lines, with more of the poorest pupils grouped together in most areas.

The report examined the distribution of children from the poorest homes - those pupils eligible for free school meals - and found segregation had increased.

More than 28,000 extra pupils were taught in England's 164 grammar schools last year than in 1997, despite the government's stated opposition to academic selection, but this is still only 4.7% of pupils. These schools had the lowest number of children who relied on meal vouchers as well as a below-average influx of pupils with special educational needs.

Tory local councils are more likely to maintain or reintroduce grammar schools but the New Labour government has been pushing academy schools, that are not only very divisive on class lines but divert resources away from action to improve resources at schools with multiple problems.

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In The Socialist 2 July 2008:

Hands off our NHS!