New Communist Party of Britain

This is just one section of the Main Political Resolution adopted at the 2009 16^th Congress of the New Communist Party of Britain.
An index to the other sections can be found here -> [2009 Policy Documents]

EDUCATION

The purpose of the education system of this country has never been for the benefit of the working class. It has been developed to provide a workforce sufficiently educated, but no more than necessary, to work the tools and machinery of the day so that the ruling class could extract the maximum amount of profit. To ensure that education provided no less and more than was required has been the main reason why the ruling class has never relinquished control of the education system.

Now, under this government’s economic policy and consequent reduced manufacturing and industry, they are trying to alter the education system to suit basic service industry needs.

There should be statutory pre−school education across the board for all.

SATS tests on Primary School children should be abolished. And the unnecessary pressure on children and staff stopped. The curriculum should be returned to its broad educational approach.

We would see a return to comprehensive schools as originally envisaged and the development of a policy to solve the skills deficit that is facing our country.

We call for the abolition of all tuition fees and for education at all levels to be free. And any education at post age 16 to be supported by mandatory grants and not means tested. This financial support should apply equally to students on vocational as well as academic courses.

Education at adult education institutes (AEI) should also free, as should any supplementary classes for community groups like youth clubs and pensioners’ groups.

There is an urgent need to look at the syllabi of all levels of education from teacher training to primary school; from science teachers to youth workers.

Funding of education needs to be increased substantially and be controlled by the appropriate local council, enabling them to direct resources as needs dictate. Sponsorship of schools by “charity” organisations or companies should cease. If they have spare money to spend on education they can afford to be taxed more heavily so that democratically elected councillors have more money to promote all round education.

Since the 1980’s the facilities available to young people to participate in physical and cultural activities have either been closed or reduced significantly. Youth clubs have been closed; playing fields sold for high−priced housing; swimming pools sold and converted into up−market “fitness” clubs with exorbitant membership fees.

We would make it mandatory for local authorities to make facilities available for the youth in their areas to participate in both physical and cultural activities that are fully funded by taxation.

We would remove religion from the curriculum of any school. If religion is to be taught it should be in the local religious gathering place or at home. Religion is the parent’s responsibility not a state−funded responsibility.

The NCP opposes the existence of separate schools on the basis of wealth, social class, or religious faith. All such schools must be integrated into a single educational structure that meets the needs of all children, and seek to promote social equality and the highest standards of academic, practical and ethical formation for everyone.