Letter: Shephard dictates to the teachers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Gillian Shephard, in attempting to lay down detailed methods for the teaching of maths and English, is beyond the limits of her professional competence ("Tories act to stamp out trendy teaching", 13 June). She would not, I hope, use ministerial responsibility to tell a surgeon when to operate, a lawyer how to interpret the latest ruling of the Court of Appeal or Mike Atherton how to play an out-swinger.
She will of course reply that she is right. It is a defence more often employed than upheld. It is of course possible that the view may be right but that does not give her the authority to impose her opinion. In transferring an issue of judgement into one of academic freedom, she is likely to freeze the normal processes of professional change and prolong the teaching practices to which she objects for much longer than they would otherwise have lasted.
Good teaching can be done in many different styles and none of us can teach according to any professional conscience but our own. If she wants teaching done according to her own judgement she must do it herself.
Earl RUSSELL
Liberal Democrat Social Security spokesperson
House of Lords
London SW1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments