A potentially very effective blend of discourses was seen earlier this week at the National Union of Teachers conference in England. Christine Blower, the NUT’s general secretary, condemed national tests for 10- and 11-year olds (“Sats”) by critically articulating their reduction of children to “little bundles of measurable outputs” with the UN convention on the rights of the child. Under the convention, children are entitled to an education which helps develop their “personalitites, talents and abilities to their fullest potential”.
Blower said: “The NUT says ‘yes’ to risk-taking and exciting approaches to learning and ‘no’ to children as little bundles of measurable outputs.” (Guardian, 7 April 2010)
