As we're 'all in this together' (© Tory/Lib Dem scum), the minister for education has decided to
take away all government subsidy for
Booktrust, the charity which gives every child a pack of books shortly after they're born, start school, and go to secondary school.
Literacy rates in this country - especially amongst the poor - are too low, and Booktrust was a wonderful attempt to encourage it. Poor households tend to lack books and the poorest children don't develop a wide vocabulary, often because their parents are too busy working long-hours, low-paid jobs to afford the time and money for reading. Once a child starts school, the effects begin to show: children of equal intelligence take very different routes in life, and literacy is a major part of this process.
Virtually all of the government's ministers are privately educated, and two-thirds of the cabinet are millionaires. They neither understand nor want to understand the difficulties of those less fortunate then themselves. A packet of books might kickstart a healthy relationship and a life of pleasure.
Perhaps the problem is that books give us power. That's why English translations of the King James Bible were all massive: cheap, small editions like Tyndale's were banned because individuals could own, carry and read them - leading to independence of thought.
One more thing snatched away.
I'm sorry to be so negative, so often. I'd love to chat about lovely things all the time, but these vicious attacks are coming so thick and fast.
Please protest to your councillor and MP on this one.
