Number Agents

The prevailing rhetoric of the current government suggests a return to the basics, with a keen focus on academic outcomes as the sole priority. Recently, a Minister even asserted that it is impossible to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. It is deeply regrettable that those making these decisions often lack classroom experience and do not seek the perspectives of those who do. If they did, they would understand that it is indeed possible—and essential—to focus on multiple aspects simultaneously to achieve the academic outcomes they desire. I have yet to meet a teacher who does not strive for the best for the children in their care. Indeed, no teacher wishes for their children to fail. Ironically, our current government is right now providing the very conditions within schools that mean many children and teachers are actually failing. If this government truly aims for academic excellence for all, they must recognise that our focus cannot be singular but rather multifaceted...

  Right now, I am angry. Many of you will know that this week I shared an open letter on my public Number Agents Facebook page. This letter is emotional, and I make no apologies for that. In fact, it had been drafted to just send to our local Ministry of Education (MOE) office, but after I was told that one of our lovely children with ASD will have any behaviour funding (as little as it currently is anyway) concluded because he has had five terms' worth, well, let's say it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I have shared the letter at the end of this blog post for anyone who has not seen it. Feel free to go to my Facebook page and share it if it resonates with what you are experiencing. I don’t presume to speak for you, but I know right now, this is the experience of many. Right now, we have a system intent on putting the cart before the horse. While the current government has accelerated and compounded this issue, they didn't start this pattern; in fact, for as lon...