Challenges Ahead for the DIUS

30 July 2007

Separation of departments represents a continuation of this government’s obsession with changing structures instead of raising standards, argues Sarah Teather

[This article is based on an article written by Sarah Teather]

Gordon Brown’s decision to divide the old Department for Education and Skills into two separate, smaller departments signals two things; the growing recognition of the importance of integrated education and families policy, and Brown’s determination to fix education as a key political battleground for the next two years. The extra voice in Cabinet this split affords education is to be welcomed, but a number of important questions now face Brown and the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

First amongst these is the issue of Further Education.  Although Further Education has been given new responsibilities under Labour, including the new Foundation Degrees, the government’s record has in fact been one of sustained failure. An inability to find a coherent approach to providing practical and vocational courses has been compounded by the government’s refusal to adopt the recommendations of the Tomlinson report, resulting in the muddled construction of the new Diplomas.

We have seen massive cuts to adult learning programmes.  For many people who missed out on education first time around, including mothers returning to work, or people who have just left prison, level 1 learning is a vital route back into the system.  Yet the Government seem determined to focus resources on accredited level 2 and 3 provision, setting stringent targets for this higher level provision at the expense of lower level courses.

Now, with the division of the education portfolio, FE finds itself with an even more uncertain future. Further Education no longer fits into the remit of a single department but instead finds itself straddling two. Whilst the new Diplomas will fall under the jurisdiction of the new DCFS, foundation degrees and adult learning will be controlled by DIUS, as will 16-19 apprenticeships. Apart from showing a marked lack of joined up thinking, specific questions also remain. With funding for the 14-19 Diplomas to go through LEAs, and all post-19 funding to go through the Learning and Skills Council, it is still unclear as to who will be responsible for the regulation of FE Colleges themselves.

The composition of the new DIUS also reveals a more worrying side to Brown’s ideological approach to education.  Bringing together universities with innovation and skills recognises universities’ importance in the generation of new technologies and the need to plug Britain’s growing skills gap in light of the publication of the Leitch review. However, the language Brown uses is dominated by the workplace, and exposes an ideology which seeks to swamp individualism to meet the needs of the market.

Individuals learn best when they are able to engage in a flexible and personalised learning environment which allows them to concentrate on areas they have a personal flair or passion for. Both children and adults should be able to make such decisions for themselves, instead of being funnelled into channels of education dictated by the market in a ‘learn to earn’ situation.

What is the real motive behind this split?  Gordon Brown’s agenda of control within his party is a history well documented. In splitting the DFES into two smaller power-bases, Brown has created the potential for a more manageable arrangement, as well as a structure more susceptible to central control. It is quite possible that the division of the DFES is simply political manoeuvring, intended to allow him the opportunity to direct education policy from number 10.

Whether the new departments will be able to successfully manage this split, and overcome these significant challenges remains to be seen. What is clear is that the separation represents a continuation of this government’s obsession with changing structures instead of raising standards.

 

This article is based on an article written by Sarah Teather
Sarah Teather is Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Innovations, Universities and Skills

 

Applicability: this item refers to England and Wales. Due to devolution, detailed policy may be different in other areas of the UK.