Our Chair of Trustees, William Scott, has been reading the Foundation for Education Development’s [FED] National Education Consultation Report [2023]: towards a long-term plan for education. It’s fair to say that he’s FED up despite being impressed.
Having seen a lot of the FED’s prior output, I did not open this document with any great expectation that it would take either the climate or ecological crises seriously, and so I wasn’t really disappointed. Its Executive Summary begins like this:
“Education is an essential element of human capital. A high quality education significantly contributes to wellbeing, increases employment opportunities and earnings, strengthens institutions, drives long-term economic growth, reduces poverty and spurs innovation. The Foundation for Education Development believes that education – where every learner has access to high-quality, equitable, accessible and technologically-rich learning opportunities – has a vitally important part to play in a future that is confident, optimistic, and prosperous for all. In a time when there is much we need to adapt to in the world around us – from the cost-of living crisis to the ‘grand challenges’ posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), demographic shifts, climate change and a post-Covid working landscape – the FED is passionate about helping the education system in England evolve to meet these challenges. …”
What’s your reaction to this? Do you think, rather gratefully perhaps, that at least there’s a mention of climate change, or do you wonder why climate change is seen as no more serious that “a post-Covid working landscape”, whatever that is.
Unsurprisingly, the report reflects its summary. On page 8 we read:
“The impact of new technologies, automation, demographics and climate change create the demand for new skill sets including a range of social emotional skills alongside digital and green skills.”
There’s more of the same on page 14 under the heading of Big Challenges of the Future:
“Climate change: The future of our young people is tied to the future of the planet. Not only is climate change the biggest priority for this generation, but it is also changing the make-up of our economy; the government currently predicts its Net Zero initiative will drive up to 440,000 jobs by 2030. Ensuring our future workforce is prepared to work in the green economy will be vital to our future success.”
And that’s it as far as climate / climate change is concerned. The FED has placed itself firmly in the centre of most education reform since the 1870 Elementary Education Act and focused itself on the economy.
Perhaps, you wonder, has the ecological crisis fared any better? Is that more prominently featured? Of course not. Nothing to learn there; not even in relation to the economy.
None of this is surprising, of course given who’s involved and not involved. A close scrutiny is merited of the long and impressive list of partners, sponsors, supporters, ambassadors, learning council members, advisory council members, steering group members, consultation group members. This takes up 14 of the 44 page document.
Imagine, if only what we are interested in could get a fraction of such support and interest … . Imagine.