Posts Tagged ‘David Cameron’

Make-Up Lessons for 14-Year-Old Girls Draws Outrage

January 19, 2012

You would have thought we were stuck in the 1960’s. Honestly, to offer make-up classes to young girls is such an outdated idea.

A school has triggered outrage for giving make-up lessons to girls as young as 14.

The classes at Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School in Leeds even teach the youngsters how to get ready for a night out, the Mirror reports.

Teachers claim they help pupils learn how to make a good first impression and can boost their self-confidence.

However, family campaign groups and parents yesterday criticised the school.

The Family Education Trust told the paper: ‘At a time when there is growing public concern about the sexualisation of children and young people, it is irresponsible for schools to provide make-up lessons.

‘Parents don’t send their daughters to school to learn how to put on make-up but to receive a decent education.

‘The fact that some of the pupils asked for these lessons is no defence.

Indeed, it is not for students to dictate what is taught in class. My issue here is it sends the wrong message. True confidence doesn’t come from the ability to apply make-up, it comes from achievement. Far more worthier programs can be undertaken by the school than this one.

Whilst I don’t feel it’s necessary to condemn the school for this error in judgement, I think it’s time they concentrated on making these girls feel good about themselves within their charter of educational outcomes.

Political Correctness is a Failed Philosophy

April 20, 2011

For all its good intentions, I am not a fan of political correctness.  My school just invested in new blinds for the classrooms, only weeks before a dictate from the Education Department stipulating how many bolts must be present in classroom blinds.  My school now has to find the money to put extra bolts in, even though the current setup is more than sufficient.  Whilst I agree that students welfare and safety is of vital importance, sometimes bureaucracy goes too far.

In the past few months, I have written numerous posts about political correctness gone wrong. I wrote of a farcical primary school law that banned young children from hugging.  Then there was the school that banned football in the playground and another that banned socialising in groups bigger than three.  These are examples of political correctness working against the students, not for the students.

It was so good to hear the British Prime Minister speak out against the bureaucracy trying to ban street parties in honour of Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding.

If only our Education Minister had the presence of mind to do the same.