Troops to Teachers.

We live in a world of instant coffee, fast food & instant gratification of our every whim. We expect our politicians to come up with instant answers & policy in a 2 minute soundbite. Considered, thoughtful policy which will stand the test of time doesn't really matter because they aren't interested in the long term. By the time the "flaws in the laws" emerge, the politicians of today will be long gone.

So I can't say I'm surprised by Michael Gove's flavour of the month - fast tracking non degree, ex armed forces personnel to be teachers in 2 years instead of the current 4 year degree course. It's a policy which has taken 3 years for the Department for Education to launch. Obviously they had their doubts too.

These "highly skilled", favoured few will spend 4 days a week in schools & 1 day a week in University. They will be awarded an honours degree after 2 years. Apparently they will bring "military values, discipline & a military ethos to our children. I wonder if that is what we really want for them. I also question whether that is what education is and should be about.

I want children to be in a learning environment with good teachers who encourage them to question things, find out for themselves & evaluate what they are being taught. Since when were military personnel trained to question orders? Or anything else for that matter. The whole military training seems to be about doing what you are told, exactly when & how you are told to do it. It's not so much about rewarding good behaviour as about ensuring no one steps out of line. If you want children to become soldiers, bring back conscription.

There are undoubtedly military personnel who would make good teachers. They may well have transferable skills appropriate to the classroom. That is also probably true of people in other walks of life, but we don't appear to be fast tracking them. It seems to me that there is something very right wing about this policy. I'm afraid I am reminded of someone else who targeted & militarised children and look where he got us.