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1) My parents separated when I was 11. Although I was a bright kid & at a Grammar I never made the best of my educational opportunities. My parents were too busy taking their revenge on each other to care about my sister & me a great deal.
1) My parents separated when I was 11. Although I was a bright kid & at a Grammar I never made the best of my educational opportunities. My parents were too busy taking their revenge on each other to care about my sister & me a great deal.
2) I went “off the rails”, got into drugs, got involved with the police & the courts, eventually doing time. Until I met my wife I skirted continually with the drug scene & it’s associated criminality. Things started to change in 1976 & by 1988 I was a parent of two daughters.
3) I worked mostly in construction and was away from home for long periods of time but I was determined that my children wouldn’t lack for parental engagement. My wife, who’s my rock, shared this determination. We taught them to read & communicate effectively from an early age.
4) By the time they went to school they were voracious learners and free(ish) spirits, although the younger one was more gshy and reserved than the eldest. They’ve both gone on to be smart, articulate women with enquiring minds and strong personalities. They both work hard.
5) The point? I can’t understand any parent that doesn’t put the well being of their children front & centre of their lives. Abrogating responsibility to the state, without making sure the state isn’t abusing its position, does no favours. School should educate, not indoctrinate.
6) Teachers who put political ideology ahead of their collective responsibilities must be challenged. I became a parent governor to promote education for all kids. I’m aghast that some schools aren’t setting & checking work & some teachers don’t seem to care. What a mess.
