This suggests yes: From Robbins to McKinsey
Stefan Collini in the LRB
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Is higher education policy even more of a shambles than transport policy?
(5 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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ps not trying to generate a general debate on higher ed, just thought that Collini's detailed analysis of the process whereby policy was developed and implemented deserved a wide readership.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I think the simplistic answer to your question is no.
I started reading the linked piece and expected it to be basically a book review - but it's a bit longer... (I didn't finish!)
This stood out -
"
Since perhaps the 1970s, certainly the 1980s, official discourse has become increasingly colonised by an economistic idiom, which is derived not strictly from economic theory proper, but rather from the language of management schools, business consultants and financial journalism. British society has been subject to a deliberate campaign, initiated in free-market think tanks in the 1960s and 1970s and pushed strongly by business leaders and right-wing commentators ever since, to elevate the status of business and commerce and to make ‘contributing to economic growth’ the overriding goal of a whole swathe of social, cultural and intellectual activities which had previously been understood and valued in other terms.
"Not being an 'academic insider' I don't know whether it's overstating the case to take the timeline so far back (EDIT I was referencing the 60's mention which perhaps invalidates this sentence!) or pointing out a process that started long before most people realise.
In more recent times the dogma that 50% of people should go to university has perhaps made it even more the case that higher education is even more business/job oriented.
I remember when polytechnics were created - and sneered at for being glorified tech colleges. Many are now universities and looked down on by some - in the way that some looked down on (and perhaps still do) "red brick universities".
I think that, like it or not, education policy isn't that much of a shambles - implementation is another matter.
'Public schools and 'traditional' universities are better'. David Cameron was wondering only this week why the average secondary school couldn't be as good as the PSs (some are better - even academically).
Now we 'need' all the universities to produce the 'workforce of the future' to 'compete with the rest of the world'.
I was reading an article on education in Taiwan recently. The UK is not competing in many areas - and there is not much chance of catching up.
Saw a news piece on England's new, massive, offshore wind farm yesterday. Even the basic steelwork is being imported - never mind the fact that UK turbine manufacturers keep goin bust.
So transport -
While there is a parallel with 'more universities better' in 'more roads better' I think there is much less that could be characterised as a "policy" over the last 50 years.
Posted 13 years ago # -
errrm, I was thinking of the point about the white paper coming out after the relevant legislation was already drafted. and loading the group responsible for drafting the paper with business-oriented types, rather than anyone known for their insights into/connections to higher ed.
Some of the former polys are very well thought of indeed - Oxford Brookes is a good example. I think tehcnical colleges are good things, but also value diversity in education sector, which is different from either creating an elite tier or driving everyone else down to the LCD.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@SRD
OK but I'm not sure that's "policy" in the (previously) normal sense. Sounds more like 'hidden agenda'/dogma/ineptitude.
"also value diversity in education sector"
You might say that...
Posted 13 years ago #
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