UCL Bans Military Recruitment
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Miles_Jan,
This is not a new phenomenon.
I went to Bradford Uni for my Masters in 1997. The Gay and Lesbian society asked the Union to stop the Armed Forces Careers teams coming to the University from that year (citing the fact that the forces discriminated against them) - the Union agreed with them. I was forced to travel to Middlesborough for interviews. My letters to the Union and University hierarchy fell on deaf ears.
Also don't be so fast to assume there will be little uptake for careers in the forces from Bradford Uni. The Peace Studies Dept (don't be fooled by the title) is world reknown and covers subjects such as Security Studies / International Politics at graduate and post graduate level. (although the RAF will not recognise my MA for seniority - moan over)
This is a good alternative to the War Studies Dept at Kings College, London.
This is not a new phenomenon.
I went to Bradford Uni for my Masters in 1997. The Gay and Lesbian society asked the Union to stop the Armed Forces Careers teams coming to the University from that year (citing the fact that the forces discriminated against them) - the Union agreed with them. I was forced to travel to Middlesborough for interviews. My letters to the Union and University hierarchy fell on deaf ears.
Also don't be so fast to assume there will be little uptake for careers in the forces from Bradford Uni. The Peace Studies Dept (don't be fooled by the title) is world reknown and covers subjects such as Security Studies / International Politics at graduate and post graduate level. (although the RAF will not recognise my MA for seniority - moan over)
This is a good alternative to the War Studies Dept at Kings College, London.
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Every wedge has its thin end:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7311917.stm
I shan't comment until after I've calmed down.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7311917.stm
Catherine Brennan, a teacher from Croydon, south London, who is presenting the motion, said recruiters use information which does not allow young people to make informed choices.
"They are too young to vote, too young to drink, too young to drive, but they are considered old enough to sign up for years in the armed forces without being fully aware of what they are signing themselves up for in their lives," she said.
Another teacher, Chris Kelly, from Lambeth, south London, said: "The Ministry of Defence has got a programme for distributing information to every secondary school. They run programmes across the country and send army personnel to talk to young people in schools. "These are often in areas of high levels of unemployment."
"They are too young to vote, too young to drink, too young to drive, but they are considered old enough to sign up for years in the armed forces without being fully aware of what they are signing themselves up for in their lives," she said.
Another teacher, Chris Kelly, from Lambeth, south London, said: "The Ministry of Defence has got a programme for distributing information to every secondary school. They run programmes across the country and send army personnel to talk to young people in schools. "These are often in areas of high levels of unemployment."
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Catherine Brennan
It's funny that it was down to various interviewers to bring out the fact that Catherine Brennan is a god bothering, self-confessed pacifist.
Not that that would have any influence on her of course
Not that that would have any influence on her of course
First, the use of the word 'propaganda' is entirely inappropriate by the NUT (when describing Forces recruiting). Propaganda is used to further a cause or doctrine, such as Marxism or Nazism (for example), not recruiting.
Secondly, does the NUT practice what it preaches? Let's investigate...well, I'm sure you've all seen the recruiting adverts for teachers on the TV and in the press - the 'use your head; teach' ones. Do any of those adverts state that, if you become a teacher, that you may be subjected to assault by the pupils (physical or verbal); that drugs and weapons are prevalent in schools; that if you try to control your unruly pupils, that you will likely be charged yourself; and that there is a good chance that you will leave the profession within 3 years because of ill-health, stress or assault? Has the NUT done anything to make sure that these facts are properly represented? Errrr, no.
Thirdly, last week the Training & Development Agency for Schools (a govt dept that organises teacher training) sent out a letter to all teachers who have left in the past few years, encouraging them to come back; there is a staffing crisis in schools. The letter cites improvements in the job, such as more pay and better hours. One John Illingworth, who resigned as a head teacher 3 years ago due to mental illness bought on by stress, addressed the NUT Conference yesterday stating that the letter is 'damned lies; we shouldn't encourage people into teaching on the basis of lies because, if we do, half of them will leave in the first 3 years'.
NUT - get your own house in order first.
Secondly, does the NUT practice what it preaches? Let's investigate...well, I'm sure you've all seen the recruiting adverts for teachers on the TV and in the press - the 'use your head; teach' ones. Do any of those adverts state that, if you become a teacher, that you may be subjected to assault by the pupils (physical or verbal); that drugs and weapons are prevalent in schools; that if you try to control your unruly pupils, that you will likely be charged yourself; and that there is a good chance that you will leave the profession within 3 years because of ill-health, stress or assault? Has the NUT done anything to make sure that these facts are properly represented? Errrr, no.
Thirdly, last week the Training & Development Agency for Schools (a govt dept that organises teacher training) sent out a letter to all teachers who have left in the past few years, encouraging them to come back; there is a staffing crisis in schools. The letter cites improvements in the job, such as more pay and better hours. One John Illingworth, who resigned as a head teacher 3 years ago due to mental illness bought on by stress, addressed the NUT Conference yesterday stating that the letter is 'damned lies; we shouldn't encourage people into teaching on the basis of lies because, if we do, half of them will leave in the first 3 years'.
NUT - get your own house in order first.
Last edited by snapper41; 25th Mar 2008 at 16:43.
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Surely recruiting in areas of high unemployment is a good thing?
Excellent training, a huge variety of vocations and trades to choose from, skills for life, worldwide travel, pretty damn good pay and accommodation, plus all the intangibles - self-reliance, confidence, discipline etc etc - the list goes on.
Sounds like a good thing to me!
Excellent training, a huge variety of vocations and trades to choose from, skills for life, worldwide travel, pretty damn good pay and accommodation, plus all the intangibles - self-reliance, confidence, discipline etc etc - the list goes on.
Sounds like a good thing to me!
GBZ and Snapper:
Agree about Brennan, who presents as a leftie tree hugging lezzer; but did hear a much more balanced bloke on R4 who made the point (like Snapper's) that these kids are currently treated like sh1t wrt pay, rotations, healthcare and housing. That ain't in the recruiters' spiel.
Noregrets: agreed.
CG
PS had the Royal Welsh at my primary school fete last summer. Kids loved it, and the lads rigged it for me (the Head) to win the assault course time trial!
NUT taking an absolute kicking on the 'have your say' page.
Agree about Brennan, who presents as a leftie tree hugging lezzer; but did hear a much more balanced bloke on R4 who made the point (like Snapper's) that these kids are currently treated like sh1t wrt pay, rotations, healthcare and housing. That ain't in the recruiters' spiel.
Noregrets: agreed.
CG
PS had the Royal Welsh at my primary school fete last summer. Kids loved it, and the lads rigged it for me (the Head) to win the assault course time trial!
NUT taking an absolute kicking on the 'have your say' page.
Last edited by charliegolf; 25th Mar 2008 at 15:39. Reason: Just read the responses on the BBC website
