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Dear Lori, Yes indeed. Perhaps it is actually not the absence but the presence of competitiveness and associated hungriness for workers that is 'causing' deep-seated social problems. Perhaps an exposure of the fallacious logic that underlies Leahy's propositions is what is needed to alleviate the harm it does. If we can educate ourselves in a way that helps us to see though such self-perpetuating false impressions, maybe there can yet be hope for humanity. Let's hope so. Perhaps we shouldn't pay too much attention to Leahy and his like, by recognising that there is far, far more to education than superficial appearances. Warmest Alan --On 21 September 2007 10:32 +0100 "Beckett, Lori" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > Dear colleagues, > > Thank you for your patience as I find my feet with the job of SIG > convenor, and put to bed our centenary book. > > I have been thinking about the SIG, and some discussions and debates we > need to engage. One of course is the profile of practitioner research, > its educational and social significance. > > This is apparent when one reads newspaper reports, like the one that > featured Sir Terry Leahy, CEO of TESCO, and -- I quote - his warning to > Gordon Brown that lack of basic skills is harming competitiveness, > leaving firms hungry for qualified workers and causing deep-seated social > problems. His concern was that the government cannot expect companies to > make good the failings of schools (see p.1 and p.29 of the Guardian 12 > September, 2007). The full text of his speech can be found at > > http://www.tescocorporate.com/page.aspx?pointerid=90658F8877CD4B8A93B567F > EA69A72FC > > There are so many things to say, not least about Leahy's view of global > society, late capitalism, contemporary Britain, education, schools, and > teachers' work. How does this stand in relation to the views of > theorising teachers? What are the parameters of their concerns in the > face of such trenchant criticism? Should we respond, as a community of > practitioners? If so, how? > > I look forward to a strident professional conversation. > > All the best, > > Lori > > > > > > Professor Lori Beckett > > Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education > > Leeds Metropolitan University > > Headingley Campus > > Leeds LS6 3QS > > UK > > (w) +44 (0)113 81 26510 > > (m) +44 (0)7920 450108 > > (fax) +44 (0)113 283 8602 > > (email) [log in to unmask] > > Leeds Met shortlisted & highly commended in the Times Higher University > of the Year 2006 Awards > > > > > > > To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to > http://disclaimer.leedsmet.ac.uk/email.htm