Daily roundup 23 March: Education opportunities, crime, and school curriculum

Teachers are still writing off children from poor backgrounds as low achievers, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has warned. Addressing the Association of School and College Leaders annual conference, Morgan said more needed to be done so no child is held back because of their circumstances, the Independent reports. After addressing the conference, Morgan said: “I still come across people who are ready to write off a child’s chances even before the end of primary school.”


A two-year-old girl reported to police for shoplifting could be the youngest person ever to be reported for theft in Britain, according to the Cambridge News. Data released by Cambridgeshire police has shown a rise in the number of under-10s accused of crimes, with the youngest boy reported to police for an alleged rape at the age of five. Danny DuBois, a counsellor and psychotherapist for child related issues in Cambridge, said two-year-olds have no concept of right or wrong and children under the age of 10 have no moral compass.


Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has rejected calls by heads for an independent body to make decisions about the school curriculum. The BBC reports that head teachers were told politicians should remain in control of what is taught in schools. However, Morgan has promised an end to “constant change” in schools, if the Conservatives stay in government.


Detectives could quiz up to four serving MPs in relation to claims of an establishment child sex abuse cover up, the Daily Mail reports. The names of the MPs have been given to officers. Steve Rodhouse, Scotland Yard’s deputy assistant commissioner, said the police will go “where the evidence takes us”.


The five-year-old boy involved in an international search after his parents removed him from a UK hospital to seek treatment abroad is now cancer free, according to his family. The Guardian reports Ashya King's parents believe his life has been saved following treatment at the Proton Therapy Centre in Prague. Ashya’s parents were arrested in Spain last year after going against the advice of UK doctors to find alternative treatment than that provided on the NHS for their son's condition.


Unsecured debt has broken through the peak that occurred during the financial crisis, according to a report by accountants PwC. Non-mortgage debts and credit card bills rose by nine per cent last year with around £9,000 owed per household, the Daily Mail reports. PwC has raised concerns that some households could face financial problems if interest rates rise.