Is Michael Gove a dangerous egomaniac who is ruining UK education?

First topic message reminder :

Our well informed Secretary Of State for Education has decided that as it will soon be the 400th anniversary of the writting of the King James version of the bible every school in England is to have a Celebration copy......
 

It is understood that every school in England will receive a copy of the Bible, which will include a foreword by Education Secretary Michael Gove.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/11/25/michael-gove-puts-bible-every-school_n_1113099.html?ref=uk

 
 
Whilst I can somewhat understand the giving of a copy to every school but why does it have to have foreword by Gove?.....­.Is this just a Tory Minister going on an EGO TRIP/
 
I would ask every Headmaster­/Mistress to remove the pages with the Words of Gove on them......

http://t.co/JNPsyG8Fab

Mr Gove's Christmas Carol - for those of you who missed it on Twitter

Michael Gove, using history for politicking is tawdry

Extracts from an article by Tristram Hunt (shadow education secretary):-

Two days after Michael Morpurgo published a beautiful essay calling for this year's First World War commemorations to "honour those who died" and "celebrate the peace we now share", Michael Gove delivered the government's response. The education secretary announced in ‘The Daily Mail’ that the 1914 centenary should be about "battling left-wing myths that belittle Britain" and denouncing historians who "denigrate patriotism". It is shocking stuff.

There was always a fear that the timing of the Great War anniversary, alongside the May 2014 European Parliament election and the rise of UKIP could undermine a dignified response to the events of 1914-18. Yet few imagined the Conservatives would be this crass. The reality is clear: the government is using what should be a moment for national reflection and respectful debate to rewrite the historical record and sow political division.

In the very paper that so grotesquely called into question Ralph Miliband's wartime service in the Royal Navy, Gove has sought to blame "left-wing academics" for misrepresenting the First World War. Yet the British left largely supported the war effort. Appeals by trade union leaders to oppose German aggression, particularly against Belgium, led more than 250,000 of their members to enlist by Christmas 1914, with 25% of miners volunteering before conscription. Contrary to the assertions of Gove and ‘The Daily Mail’, the left needs no lessons on "the virtues of patriotism, honour and courage".

For the whole article:-
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/04/first-world-war-michael-gove-left-bashing-history

The Tory propogandists have no sense of shame. Thatcher's funeral was one long Party Political Broadcast, and they have now decided to appropriate the Centenary of a bloodbath to their own purposes.

The BBC coverage will apparently be in real time over the entire next four years, so we can learn exactly how the expression "jingoism" came into being.

bobby wrote:Well at least the Tory Bastards won't be able to blame it on the previous Government.

You think so, Bobby? Coalition spokespersons have so far been happy to blame The previous administration for everything that's occurred since 1066.

I strongly suspect that the hand of Gove is behind this story. The raving idiot who wants a return to history being taught as facts learned parrot fashion, rather than being skills based, would be more than happy if the study of philosophy is dumbed down, so that its students stop questioning the role of government and stick to writing about religion (I nearly said ‘thinking’, but that’s the last thing the Tories want anyone to do).
 
Just one more reason why this sinister government must be evicted from office next year.  And there’s only one party which will be in a position to replace it.
 
Philosophy is not religion. It must not be taught that way
 
Extracts from an article by Charlie Duncan Saffrey:-
 
"For A Level students in the UK, there is only one exam board that runs a real philosophy course. And that's about to be changed into yet another religious education course. The board will reduce the marks given for students' ability to critique and construct arguments, and more marks will be given for simply knowing the theories involved. Essentially, where young philosophers were previously rewarded for being able to think for themselves and question the role of government, the new course can only be passed by students who can regurgitate classic defences of the existence and perfection of God.

The areas that have been casually dropped are the very areas of philosophy that make it a dynamic, relevant and academically rigorous subject. Political philosophy helps us make sense of politics and consider the importance of freedom and justice; considering free will gives us an opportunity to consider our responsibility for our actions. Both of these are apparently no longer worthy of teaching – neither is the option of a detailed reading of philosophical texts like Plato's ‘Republic’ or Mill's ‘On Liberty’. And yet, philosophy is absolutely crucial for a proper questioning of the assumptions we make about government and about our lives in general."
 
For the whole article:-
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/29/philosophy-a-level-syllabus-religious-education

Ivan wrote:Rory Claydon: “Michael Gove is in my view, the worst person to have ever graced the position of education secretary. His new plan of ‘Troops for Teachers’ seems to be a project that he thought overnight, whilst drunk. If he could be transported back to the 1950s Ministry for Education, he might find that some of his ideas looked rather old-fashioned even then.”
 
An article about the only education secretary ever to receive a vote of no confidence from the National Association of Head Teachers:-
http://www.bbench.co.uk/28/post/2013/06/michael-gove-the-story-so-far.html

I've racked my brains to come up with someone worse than Mr Gove and I can't. I just hope the Tories can't come up with someone even worse

"A bridge too far?"

The egregious Mr Gove appears to have over-stretched his credibility by sacking the Lady Chairman of OFSTED. Westminster critics suggest that if the Noble Lady has exceeded her usefulness after only three years, an Education Secretary in place for FOUR years may be in need of refreshment.

Gove is, obviously, barking mad, and totally unfit to have anything to do with children. Send him for treatment before the NHS is totally destroyed by madmen who should never have been allowed near our health!

Brendan Foster slams Gove for ‘demonising’ running
 
Almost all of Michael Gove’s methods have come under increasing scrutiny – with his recent assertion that he wanted “standards so high all round that you should not be able to tell a state sector from a fee-paying independent school" drawing wide consternation. During the same speech he posited that running – among other more traditional forms of punishment, such as writing lines or clearing graffiti – could be used as a sanction for bad behaviour. The decision to include running amongst the other conventional punishments is at odds with his party's manifesto, which pledges to create a thriving arts, heritage and sport sector.

Brendan Foster is the BBC commentator and former Olympic bronze medallist who founded the Great North Run. He says: “This is a step back. For years we’ve told people running is enjoyable and beneficial to health. Now Gove has sent a message it’s bad – a punishment on a par with picking up litter or doing 100 lines. It demonises running. Extra physical activity in schools is rewarding.”

Foster goes on to facetiously suggest that he would make Gove run around a school field, before adding the caveat: "if I can find one, he has been selling them off". The sale of 50 playing fields in 3 years is nothing short of outrageous - particularly given that the coalition promised to keep them safe, and all the more so given that the Olympic Games were held on these very shores during that time, making a completely mockery of their sporting legacy.
 
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/bbc-expert-foster-slams-gove-demonising-running-142511691.html

I feel really sorry for teachers at the moment - they must spend their whole lives in a state of apoplectic rage.

I have only had limited exposure to theories of learning - and this idiot flies constantly in the face of everything I know - what it must be like for people who actually have in-depth knowledge I can't begin to imagine.

Paradoxically, today's Sunday Times contains an article about Gove which hints that should he be successful in promoting State schools to the same level of teaching as in Private ones, many aspirational parents will have a hard choice to make.

As Fiona Phillips asks in this article, where will Gove find the money for just ten or twelve children in every class, and where will he find universally well-motivated parents?
 
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/michael-gove-deserves-kick-privates-3123460
 
We all know what Gove’s real agenda is. To make all schools indistinguishable by making them all privately run for profit.

Asked to choose between the respective 'wisdom' of Fiona Phillips and Gove, I could not force myself to do anything but abstain...       

Shame on you. Fiona Phillips would never come out with a remark like this:-


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf85fnhIcAAeFYE.jpg

While there is a clear distinction between being snobbish and being shallow, each is to be regretted...    

Fiona Phillips gave up her lucrative television job to look after her late father when he had dementia. She told me personally that she turned down a seat in the House of Lords when offered one by Gordon Brown, and she also declined to stand in a safe seat next year when Ed Miliband suggested it. Why? She said nobody trusts politicians any more and so she didn't want to be one of them. I don't think that's shallow.
 
Getting back to our nice friend Mr Gove, here's something to put you off your corn flakes (though the very mention of his name might be enough to do that!). It is at least good to read that Gove "was beaten up in Aberdeen on Boxing Day" at some time in the past:-
 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BllQ5KWIcAElEC9.jpg

Gove is undoubtedly a little shit of the highest order and, while I am not a violent man, I can well understand how he might have made a juicy target for thuggish revellers in Aberdeen - especially if he had treated his assailants to any of his verbal wisdom! I may even have been persuaded to have tweaked his ear myself!

As for Ms Phillips, while I have all due respect for those who care for elderly relations, I still feel that she is not the stuff of which Peers should be made. Even the likes of (eg) the eccentric and bossy old trout Anne Widdecombe would make mincemeat of her in any debate on matters political - as, indeed, she would me - but then, I'm not up for a seat in the Lords!

If I saw five men beating up Gove in the street, I wouldn't be inclined to intervene. I don't think they'd need my help.

It is a shocking indictment on us that we would not help somebody who was being physically attacked.

 However, I am in little doubt that, should Gove be the victim in question, I would find myself wading in with the sole purpose of saying words to the effect of : " Serves you right, you bastard...".

Does that make me a bad person? Yes, thought so...    

Michael Gove is a Luddite, hasn't anyone noticed that?

I suppose things could even worse if Michael Gove and Iain Duncan Smith swapped jobs. Or perhaps if either were in charge of health. But perhaps not.

Oh what a horrible thought

It certainly is! Sorry! Also, I am not implying Jeremy Hunt is OK at health. "Useless" would be praise

  

oftenwrong wrote:Michael Gove is a Luddite, hasn't anyone noticed that?

No - the Luddites, despite popular opinion, mostly achieved their immediate goals. Gove? No - he'll be in the nuthouse sooner!

Yes indeed. To the Tory curriculum could be added: "Ignore facts you don't like even if they are staring you in the face and tapping you on the head".

I'd like to tap Gove on the head...

Gove's latest edict is apparently that teaching and exams of English Lit. must be limited to British-born authors.

Sic transit Steinbeck, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Twain, Lee, Salinger, Miller, Updike et al ....

And he's such an UGLY little man - anyone would think he'd have a bit of humility

oftenwrong wrote:Gove's latest edict is apparently that teaching and exams of English Lit. must be limited to British-born authors.  

Sic transit Steinbeck, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Twain, Lee, Salinger, Miller, Updike et al ....

Has he specified which Authors?

5% of teachers feel that this Tory-dominated government's impact on the education system has been positive.
 
"I'd like to give professionals more freedom, but I know what's best." (Michael Gove)
 
If your constitution can take any more:-
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpVz9OAjh-Y

Mr. Gove so much wants to become Leader of the Tory Party that he can actually taste it. To which end there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Does he WANT them to lose the next General Election?

A short message to Michael Gove from Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers:-

Association of ideas