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  Amongst those you may have missed - having been stuck indoors at the end of last week I saw two on tv in the early hours that I class a exceptional:
  
  The first was the maiden speech of Baroness Benjamin (Floella from playschool) - I had not appreciated the fantastic range of this ladys' achievements. Her speech was beautifully written and presented and spoke on behalf of Childrens Charities ( she is VP of Barnados and the NCH) and argued that cuts imposed on such bodies were self defeating. A superb moment.
  
  The second was of Geoff Canada speaking at the Conservative Conference last night ( pure channel hopping in the early hours caught this gem not a desire to watch politics!)
  He is the head of the Harlem Children's Zone, in New York and was asked to speak on education. His proposition was that America had the largest jail population per capita than any other country: that prison generally does no more that cost the taxpayer to keep soemone incarcerated until they can come out and be a slightly less burden on society. He also pointed out that 50 years ago education wasnt needed for everyone as there were plenty of factory and farm jobs for them.
  Now life has changed but education hasnt. His point was that money spent on radical changes to education were financially beneficial and essential if America were not to slip behind the third world.
  He stated that his country was becoming lazy and self satisfied now that they were the only Super Power and if they were to mogve forward they must accept that everyone must be accountable. He gave the example of teachers who were incompetant being supported by the system and said that when he was given the job By the Mayor of New york he promised that if in 5 tyears he didnt succeed he would sack himself! He also added that when he went back to talk to his staff he said that if that happened he would be that last one leaving!
  
  I was stunned by both speakers and it is apparent to me that there is much to do if our children are to inherit a world moving in the right direction.

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