2nd March, 2009
Article: Georgina Prichard (Yr 12)
Website Sub-Editor: Natalie Dragic (Yr 12)
The highly regarded politician Michael Gove MP, the current Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, visited North London Collegiate School on Monday 2nd March.
Described by some as the ‘Tories' one man think-tank’, Michael Gove has also made notable appearances on BBC Radio 4 and Newsnight Review. His visit on Monday was to discuss the Prince’s Teaching Institute, an educational charity of which The Headmistress Mrs McCabe is Co-Director, and whose aim is to promote a love of knowledge and insight in teachers.
What was very clear was Michael Gove’s passion about improving education within this country. However, due to the current economic climate he expressed concern that the government is not taking such an interest in education as it should be. In his opinion, the countries that will emerge stronger out of this global recession are those who continue to invest and improve their education system, for example Asian countries like Singapore. Gove therefore feels it is vital for the government to place more of an emphasis on education that ‘opens peoples eyes' to new horizons and expands possibilities for future generations.’
The Prince’s Teaching Institute is a ‘fantastic organisation’ and one that Gove believes can really benefit the education system by improving the quality of teaching in the state sector. The organisation, founded in 2002, runs four day summer courses for state school teachers aiming to inspire and enrich them, and in turn raising education standards.
Gove hopes that the government will listen to the PTI as it is run by leaders in their field and has the potential for a huge amount of good by supporting teachers all over the country to ensure they can do the best job possible. After a very successful visit he hopes that this organisation, in spite of the current economic problems, will hopefully play a bigger and bigger role in improving education in the future.
Princes Teaching Institute: www.princes-ti.org.uk