Poll reveals half of people against groups of parents running schools
Lauren Higgs
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Almost half of people are against the idea of private companies, charities, businesses and groups of parents running schools, according to a public opinion poll by Ipsos Mori.
The poll, which was commissioned by the teaching union NASUWT and Unison, found most people want schools to be run by local authorities. Only four per cent of the public want to see private companies or religious organisations running state-funded schools. Only five per cent think it would be a good idea for groups of parents to be given the power to run state-funded schools.
The poll also found that while parents recognise the important role of head teachers, they are against proposals that would give school leaders more autonomy.
Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, said all the political parties need to rethink their policies on the involvement of the private sector in state education and on the increased autonomy for schools. "All the political parties have dabbled to a greater or lesser degree with placing schools in the hands of private providers," she said.
"The main casualty is the central plank of Tory education policy, which is left in tatters by this poll, showing they are hopelessly out of touch with the electorate. It's time for politicians to declare their commitment to democratically run and accountable state schools. This is what the public wants."
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, urged all parties to place a commitment to democratically run state education at the heart of their education policies. "Perhaps instead of looking to Sweden, or the US, for inspiration, or listening to a mainly London-centric middle-class complaining about their local schools, politicians should start listening to the vast majority of parents who want a good local school run by the public sector," he said.
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, added that all young people should be provided with a high-quality education within the existing school system. "Parents, young people and the general public are not persuaded by the concept of 'independent state schools', especially if this involves them being run directly by private companies," he said.
