Cyprus-Forum.com

[GreekIslandGirl]

Should they be taught at school?

[Get Real!]

More detail required Oracle...

[GreekIslandGirl]

Well, according to the world's trendsetters, the Conservatives, teaching Cameron's British Values to schoolchildren will become law.

Cameron's Core Values, "freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions".


One thing the supreme British government knows exactly is where it stands on the truth and objectivity of their core Values. (After all, teaching Science, Maths, reading etc is no longer effective in British schools - judging by their position in the European education assessments.)

So, does Cyprus need to follow with its own set of Values before we get left behind without any principles, morals, ethics, national pride ...

[Paphitis]

Well, according to the world's trendsetters, the Conservatives, teaching Cameron's British Values to schoolchildren will become law.

Cameron's Core Values, "freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions".


One thing the supreme British government knows exactly is where it stands on the truth and objectivity of their core Values. (After all, teaching Science, Maths, reading etc is no longer effective in British schools - judging by their position in the European education assessments.)

So, does Cyprus need to follow with its own set of Values before we get left behind without any principles, morals, ethics, national pride ...

The UK doesn't seem to be doing bad at all when compared to the rest of the world. It is amongst the top 5 in Europe and the spread from China to UK does not seem very significant!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/educa ... 79588.html

And yes, values should be taught at school in the UK as well as Cyprus!

[Flying Horse]

"freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions".

Hmmm, well in UK schools they are and have always promoted common values such as this. However, the problem lies outside of school. That's one problem that is only getting bigger.

[zan]

When questioning the actions of the British government at the FCO I was cynically asked whether I had grown up here. As if to say, you have no right to question what we do you bloody foreigner. Given the actions of David Burrows in Enfield who is openly homophobic and islamaphobic, and who supported a disgraced GC who is equally phobic, I can't help but feel the present government is beginning to behave like nazis. I think it is totally wrong for a prime minister to come out and make statements like he has given the general IQ of the voters. I can only see a future when British values mean that your English neighbour complains to police about your Greek music filtering into his home and the smell of your souvlaki being offensive to his senses. That is how I am feeling at the moment....... Is it just me? There are issues here but are they being tackled in the right was? I was exempt from assembly but went and sang the hymns. Will those that do not have religion be forced to go? What values are we talking about?

[GreekIslandGirl]

"freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions".

Hmmm, well in UK schools they are and have always promoted common values such as this. However, the problem lies outside of school. That's one problem that is only getting bigger.

Exactly. I agree with you that common values (now termed "British") were a staple in schools. But now the schools are failing (according to the most comprehensive assessments, they fall behind most industrialized countries, including Cyprus) and Gove-Cameron are falling over themselves to blame something - so they have picked on the Trojan Horse scandal (not to be confused with last year's horse meat scandal - goodness, Mrs Horse, you've been busy) and suddenly, it's all those foreigners who don't respect British Values that are causing the rot. Racism pure and simple.

I wonder which "British Institutions" Cameron wants to see valued? Are there any left (apart from the Royal Family)? After all, Cameron's responsible for selling off one of the last and most cherished British Institutions, the Royal Mail.

[Flying Horse]

"freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions".

Hmmm, well in UK schools they are and have always promoted common values such as this. However, the problem lies outside of school. That's one problem that is only getting bigger.

Exactly. I agree with you that common values (now termed "British") were a staple in schools. But now the schools are failing (according to the most comprehensive assessments, they fall behind most industrialized countries, including Cyprus) and Gove-Cameron are falling over themselves to blame something - so they have picked on the Trojan Horse scandal (not to be confused with last year's horse meat scandal - goodness, Mrs Horse, you've been busy) and suddenly, it's all those foreigners who don't respect British Values that are causing the rot. Racism pure and simple.

I wonder which "British Institutions" Cameron wants to see valued? Are there any left (apart from the Royal Family)? After all, Cameron's responsible for selling off one of the last and most cherished British Institutions, the Royal Mail.

Horses for courses

My main concern , is the education system wasn't entirely broken several years ago, but now it seems severely broken. My eldest is a very bright 12 year old. The absolutely astonishing amount of kids doing the 11+ meant he didn't get into grammar school. I couldn't fathom the difference between any of the other schools, so pinned the tail on a donkey and drew a school that was under 'special measures'. I found out after he got in.
I have been very concerned since September that they would fail him as he was the top performing child at primary school. So far, they have surprised me on many occasions. Hes now one those they label 'high achievers' and at 12 years old is studying GCSE Maths, is studying two levels above the national average for Science, can't tie his own shoe laces properly and comes home covered from head to toe in ink every day with his jumper on backwards, nor can see through his specs from the sticky fingerprints all over them.......

But still, they aren't failing him academically.....yet!

[GreekIslandGirl]

"freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions".

Hmmm, well in UK schools they are and have always promoted common values such as this. However, the problem lies outside of school. That's one problem that is only getting bigger.

Exactly. I agree with you that common values (now termed "British") were a staple in schools. But now the schools are failing (according to the most comprehensive assessments, they fall behind most industrialized countries, including Cyprus) and Gove-Cameron are falling over themselves to blame something - so they have picked on the Trojan Horse scandal (not to be confused with last year's horse meat scandal - goodness, Mrs Horse, you've been busy) and suddenly, it's all those foreigners who don't respect British Values that are causing the rot. Racism pure and simple.

I wonder which "British Institutions" Cameron wants to see valued? Are there any left (apart from the Royal Family)? After all, Cameron's responsible for selling off one of the last and most cherished British Institutions, the Royal Mail.

Horses for courses

My main concern , is the education system wasn't entirely broken several years ago, but now it seems severely broken. My eldest is a very bright 12 year old. The absolutely astonishing amount of kids doing the 11+ meant he didn't get into grammar school. I couldn't fathom the difference between any of the other schools, so pinned the tail on a donkey and drew a school that was under 'special measures'. I found out after he got in.
I have been very concerned since September that they would fail him as he was the top performing child at primary school. So far, they have surprised me on many occasions. Hes now one those they label 'high achievers' and at 12 years old is studying GCSE Maths, is studying two levels above the national average for Science, can't tie his own shoe laces properly and comes home covered from head to toe in ink every day with his jumper on backwards, nor can see through his specs from the sticky fingerprints all over them.......

But still, they aren't failing him academically.....yet!

You should be very proud of him and I don't know why you're worried they will fail him academically? Do you mean you are worried they aren't providing adequate challenges to progress him beyond the (normally) low expectations? There's a reason why British schoolchildren lag behind when compared to other industrialized countries and that was pointed out by you, above - state education in the UK is broken. The Conservatives are obviously blaming the previous Labour government and making knee-jerk reactions to add a plaster to the gaping wounds. It's a great shame - but the UK has to stop all the PR nonsense to present a facade of superiority in all things and open their eyes to being left behind.

Highly embarrassing, if not typical, of Cameron to put respect for British Institutions (class system? The Queen? ) above the desire to gain an education - in fact, he didn't even mention this as one of the Core Values to be taught in schools!

On the other hand, Cypriot schoolchildren are making great strides in the league tables and their show in tertiary education is phenomenal. Now the Cypriot government has to address worthwhile opportunities for the graduates so that they are not lost abroad.

[Paphitis]

"freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions".

Hmmm, well in UK schools they are and have always promoted common values such as this. However, the problem lies outside of school. That's one problem that is only getting bigger.

Exactly. I agree with you that common values (now termed "British") were a staple in schools. But now the schools are failing (according to the most comprehensive assessments, they fall behind most industrialized countries, including Cyprus) and Gove-Cameron are falling over themselves to blame something - so they have picked on the Trojan Horse scandal (not to be confused with last year's horse meat scandal - goodness, Mrs Horse, you've been busy) and suddenly, it's all those foreigners who don't respect British Values that are causing the rot. Racism pure and simple.

I wonder which "British Institutions" Cameron wants to see valued? Are there any left (apart from the Royal Family)? After all, Cameron's responsible for selling off one of the last and most cherished British Institutions, the Royal Mail.

Horses for courses

My main concern , is the education system wasn't entirely broken several years ago, but now it seems severely broken. My eldest is a very bright 12 year old. The absolutely astonishing amount of kids doing the 11+ meant he didn't get into grammar school. I couldn't fathom the difference between any of the other schools, so pinned the tail on a donkey and drew a school that was under 'special measures'. I found out after he got in.
I have been very concerned since September that they would fail him as he was the top performing child at primary school. So far, they have surprised me on many occasions. Hes now one those they label 'high achievers' and at 12 years old is studying GCSE Maths, is studying two levels above the national average for Science, can't tie his own shoe laces properly and comes home covered from head to toe in ink every day with his jumper on backwards, nor can see through his specs from the sticky fingerprints all over them.......

But still, they aren't failing him academically.....yet!

You should be very proud of him and I don't know why you're worried they will fail him academically? Do you mean you are worried they aren't providing adequate challenges to progress him beyond the (normally) low expectations? There's a reason why British schoolchildren lag behind when compared to other industrialized countries and that was pointed out by you, above - state education in the UK is broken. The Conservatives are obviously blaming the previous Labour government and making knee-jerk reactions to add a plaster to the gaping wounds. It's a great shame - but the UK has to stop all the PR nonsense to present a facade of superiority in all things and open their eyes to being left behind.

Highly embarrassing, if not typical, of Cameron to put respect for British Institutions (class system? The Queen? ) above the desire to gain an education - in fact, he didn't even mention this as one of the Core Values to be taught in schools!

On the other hand, Cypriot schoolchildren are making great strides in the league tables and their show in tertiary education is phenomenal. Now the Cypriot government has to address worthwhile opportunities for the graduates so that they are not lost abroad.

Each country should provide some level of tuition to their own institutions, history and instil a good sense of pride on their own countries achievements and glories. I do not agree with the Monarch (but it is the UK's system of Governance) and in particular the class system.

But in reality, if the UK has an issue with the public education system, then I don't know why you are quick to blame Cameron 100%. These issues did not just come about in the last 3 or 4 years. they have been developing over a much larger period than that so the blame game you are playing is a little misguided.

I also believe you are overplaying and exaggerating because the public system in the UK is not in bad shape. It is still functional and students are getting an appropriate education. It's not as if literacy and numeracy is a major problem when compared to the rest of the industrialized world.

But I do understand that the Brits have very high expectations and are unhappy with their current position which they believe can be a bit better. this is quite healthy in my opinion, and I am sure that the British Government would be eager to address the issues that do exist in due course as funding becomes available.