Illegal immigrants

I've got to say I'm struggling a bit with the smile approach, I dont smile at anyone who is a non immigrant, without reason, so why suggest I should smile at immigrants?

Its kind of suggesting I should make a special effort regarding them, is this just another form of "positive discrimination" which I have heard mentioned on occasions.

But I thought discrimination was illegal, or does that only apply to certain people?

 

Snap! As someone who is on the other side of state education, let's just say our budgets are stretched enough as it is and keeping a large amount of primary school aged children in school to 6pm would most definitely not work. I'll leave it at that!

 

Sorry I didn't explain it very well. My point was to raise the budget, and not to use the regular teachers for the additional hours.

I would like there to be a second "shift" of workers, who would specifically "teach" Sport / Music / Vocational skills, whatever. My point was to keep kids at school for more hours, and provide them with extra curricular activities in that additional time, that stops them roaming the street or being latch-key kids, and also would enable them to find something that they are interested in, and in particular that doesn't have to be something that their parents are knowledgeable about / able to provide / can afford.

I'd be very interested to hear why people working in the state education sector would be adverse to that

 

The French government has been trying to achieve something similar here with primary-school education but as it's been left to communes to organise the extra activities, results are very variable according to the budget available. Mostly, it comes down to volunteers just 'keeping an eye' on the children which doesn't really encourage new interests or develop existing ones. It all comes down to money, doesn't it, K? Can't see any European government committing itself to the expenditure necessary....

 

You'd fit in really well here, Shiney! Everyone speaks to anyone and everyone they meet, same when you go into the Post Office or a shop...you say 'hello' to everyone in there. There's no avoiding eye contact as I remember it in the UK. It all makes life a lot more pleasant!

 

Many schools do buy in extra curricular activities as suggested.
Lots of primary schools start with a breakfast club from 7.30. and end at 5pm or later with pupils taking part with a diverse range of activities including, sport, music, ballet, drama and growing food.
It is usually the school holidays that are problematic, but again many schools loan the premises so extra curricular sport activities can be held.
The most limiting factor for many schools is the lack of playing fields and facilities.
Given that we are a 24 hour society I do not think a generic education system cannot be tailor made to fit the working patterns of all parents. We will always need a support network of family or childminders to help working families, with school age children.

 

Indeed, but my view is that the extra money spent would be saved on [not] having to deal with unruley behaviour, and locking adolescents up, later in life. A probable hidden benefit of more capable adults in the workplace later on, and perhaps more healthy ones too (if the sport thing creates a healthier lifestyle throughout life)

Indeed. I have spoken to several of my Daughter's university contemporaries, and they universally say that the optional extra curricular facilities at their schools were not well attended - often simply because it wasn't "cool". Several appeared to have had brilliant facilities, dedicated teachers spending countless hours - how sole destroying if the kids don't take part because it isn't cool or whatever. Hence I would make attendance compulsory by lengthening the school day.

Heck! If it is already available as a resource, but just not well attended, then make attendance a pre-requisite for signing up for that school, no? No cost at all then (not that that is my expectation at all)

I wouldn't be adverse to kids doing prep at school in that interval too, but I dunno if that would be a good thing.

Sold off for quick-profit for housing perhaps? A disastrous decision, easily taken, never possible to undo. Although in city centres I don't know how playing fields could be provided.

There are schools around here with excellent facilities - all weather pitches and the like. Paid for by the tax payer, but locked up from 3pm on Friday until 9am Monday. Try to hire one, for the local XXX Club, and they will say "Our insurance won't cover it" or "We don't have anyone to unlock it for you". Nuts. What does an all weather pitch cost, £half a million probably. I think its a crime that isn't available to the community.

 

It is much the same here in Hay, but then there are no immigrants here!!!

Val

 

Excellent idea. This is something I've often pondered myself. If I could find the time and motivation, I've often pondered the idea of creating a website that links clubs to people. Not like the usual 'advert' sites that come two a penny, but rather one where people say "I want to do this", and clubs say "we do this", like a sort of dating app matching activities to people. Then if someone is toying with the idea of starting a club but doesn't know if the interest is there or can't be bothered with the advertising and admin, this site would handle all that too.

But my project idea aside, back to your specific point, our martial arts club is at a school. The notice boards there are full of ads for clubs and activities. It makes perfect sense. Not only is it stuff for people to do, but it generate revenue for the school which presumably benefits the pupils in school time somehow. Its not quite what I think you meant though, as these activities are often post tea time, to give people a chance to get there after work. I think you meant pre tea time, to keep the kids busy until the parents get home.

 

I've lost track of this thread, illegal immigrants, smiling, education?

 

Education - one of the reasons that we need immigrants.

Smiling - some peeps thought that immigrants were a surly bunch so Doddy told them to smile, smile, smile!