Howard outlines plans for education overhaul
Conservative leader Michael Howard has announced that the Conservative Party plans to carry out a top to bottom review of the national curriculum if it wins the forthcoming general election.
Speaking at the Welsh Tory Conference in Cardiff, Mr Howard said he wanted to see an end to the “tide of political correctness” threatening to engulf UK schools.
The Conservative Party leader said the review would be conducted by former chief inspector of schools Chris Woodhead within a month of the Tories taking charge, and would also cover tests, GCSEs and A levels.
He claimed the current system was undermining teachers’ authority and promised to give head teachers control over issues such as expulsions, in order to “restore public confidence” in the education system.
The Tories also launched an attack today on Prime Minister Tony Blair’s “synthetic anger” in the row over Margaret Dixon, who has reportedly had a high-risk operation cancelled seven times by the NHS. Mr Blair has accused Mr Howard of exploiting the pensioner’s plight.
Mr Howard said his party was angry at the way people had been let down by the Labour government and accused the Prime Minister of only turning on his anger for the cameras.
He declared that a Conservative administration would offer more than a change of management style” and told delegates at the Millennium Stadium: “The party is angry, justifiable, moral anger at the way in which the people who work hardest, play fairest and give most are let down. This contrasts with the synthetic anger from Mr Blair, which he turns on for the cameras, every time people dare to question or criticise his Government.”
