School holidays

Here's one I disagree with the otherwise excellent Gove on.

Long school holidays are about the only opportunity for children to experience freedom before the daily slavery of adult life kicks. They will next be free when they retire and or die.

Its an opportunity to develop self.

The problem I have with Gove's suggestions that we should embrace the brow beating approach of the Far East is that the state will then fully control the lives of children almost in their entirety.From the new kindergarten child farming that deny motherhood its place ( and oddly is another Frankfurt school policy that is being pushed desperately by what calls itself a 'conservative' government ).

Perhaps there may be some schools in areas like inner cities where keeping the kids out of the way of gangs etc may have its own benefits. But in general, and especially secondary school most academically minded kids work hard and for that matter long hours. They need time to unwind a rest.

Also it is one of the key benefits of the job to teachers. They need to to unwind also.

Remember most private schools run shorter terms than state schools and if the whinging over University places is anything to go by succeed in their endeavours.

Those on the right should be very careful before extending the state even more in peoples lives.