Tuesday, February 03, 2009

The Problem of Social Pedagogy

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, a "pedagogue" is "a dull, formal, or pedantic teacher".

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that a current pet project of the Department for Children, Schools and Families, headed by Ed Balls (in case anyone should forget !) is the creation of a cadre of "high status social pedagogues", a "new" professional group somewhere between that of social worker and teacher.

That's funny because I thought this was precisely the social position (or should I say class) occupied by New Labour itself !

I shall be exploring the subject of "Social Pedagogy" further at my "De-Constructing the New Labour Project blog : http://limits-2-growth.blogspot.com/

It might be remembered that Mr Ball's wife, Yvette Cooper, - still Financial Secretary to the Treasury ? - was until recently Minister for Housing, and the important subject of social housing for rent is dealt with @ http://witchofworcester.wordpress.com/ where I too engage in some social instruction, this time for policy makers.

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