CNJ comment - Politicians’ tough choices as they size up classrooms

Published: 6 May, 2010

• GOOD local government is all about priorities – and it has always been so.
But as the cost-cutters in central government get to work in the coming months Camden councillors of the majority party or ruling coalition will be faced with nightmarish decisions.
Not for them any form of rebellion against the diktats of Whitehall.
Conformity, in one form or another, is more than likely to be their choice.
As funding falls away, decisions on priorities will begin to squeeze.

If the present Lib Dem-Tory coalition think today’s shortage of school places presents intractable problems they must fear with a sense of doom the coming tightening of budgets.
Contending parties have been promising in the general election contest that health and education will be largely ring-fenced, but cynics may say: “They would say that, wouldn’t they”?
Opinions of politicians and Town Hall civil servants on educational matters, however, are not necessarily shaped by facts and figures and financial spreadsheets.
Political and ideological imperatives tug at their sleeves as well.
It seems as if this is being illustrated by the row over the plan to expand St Paul’s primary school in Primrose Hill at the expense – or so the critics say – of schools in poorer parts of the borough (see page 10). Some of the governors at St Paul’s have selflessly made it clear that extra money spent on their own school would be better spent on deprived schools.
There is little doubt that such schools as Edith Neville, Netley Street and St Dominic’s are crying out for investment. Educational standards are obviously much harder to maintain in crumbling schools. Morale drains away. Teaching focus falters.

Parents and governors at these schools have been quietly mounting their case over the past few months.
But it is felt their voices were almost drowned out by the clamour of parents in Belsize Park and West Hampstead who suddenly realised that there were not enough primary school places for their children.
Hoisting the argument of priorities, education chief Andrew Mennear has set out his stall. Choices have to be made – and St Paul’s must benefit from a restricted budget, argues Cllr Mennear.
But what is turning the ruling Lib Dem-Tory coalition in this direction?
An objective appraisal of the facts? Or are the majority of Lib Dem and Tory councillors – who, like so many politicians, ultimately fear the loss of power – looking too closely over their shoulder at their electoral base?  
If this is so, it is an abuse of priorities.