Rapid responses
Classroom politics
[Re: Lessons from Finland: How we can reform maths teaching in schools, yesterday]
While I respect professor Burghes’s work, I disagree with his opinion. The greatest threat to maths education in Britain is not poor teachers or a rigid curriculum. It is the huge scale of recent political involvement in how children are taught. Standards frameworks for teachers have changed three or four times in the last 12 years. There is no stability for the profession to develop its approaches, and ever-changing political agendas are deemed more important than long-term educational professionalism. Teachers have become guinea pigs in one big political experiment.
Nick Athinodorou
………………..
London travel
[Re: How Londoners are driving away from the rest of Britain, yesterday]
If Londoners are disproportionate users of (expensive) commuters trains, doesn’t this mean that investment in commuter lines in and out of London (or other cities) might be far better value for money than a high speed rail line between London and Birmingham?
John Moss
London’s singularity leaves it at risk. Firstly, we gain far less from popular policies like limiting fuel tax increases. Secondly, we lose far more from above-inflation rail ticket price increases. And thirdly, we suffer more from under-investment in public transport. Thank goodness we have a mayor.
Erica Burt
………………..
TOP TWEETS
I was sad to hear of the death of Sir Patrick Moore – a great patriot as well as a great scientist.
@DanHannanMEP
Banks are moving higher priced bankers out of central London. The value of London in the current economy is deteriorating.
@rsilvalondon
EU members are moving the goalposts to save their currency. It is time to forge a new relationship. UK trade still matters to EU.
@LiamFoxMP
Monti’s resignation has sent the euro lower. Berlusconi’s antics could undo all the good work and send Italy back to the brink.
@c_live_b