West Norwood library has been closed for months because copper was stolen from its roof and the building is not usable. This is a serious loss. It was always busy, particularly with children. At a moment when we are concerned about the fact that 11-year-olds can't read as well as would be expected it is very serious that this facility is not available to them and their parents. There is no sign on the door to give users any indication of when it might be open again. Evidently Lambeth Council does not consider this a very urgent matter.
In an effort to save money South Norwood library is now closed several days a week. At a time when so many graduates are unemployed, could they not work in libraries? Even on a voluntary basis it would be better for them than doing nothing, and they would gain experience. Is it necessary for each smallish library to have more than one trained librarian on site?
The future of the country depends on us having an educated workforce. Facility in reading is essential for this. I am afraid Councils consider libraries soft targets, but they are vital, particularly if there are now fewer books in peoples homes.
This blog is a plea for common sense in public policy. Our leaders don't seem to have any. They just make daft rules for us to follow. We need to assert our right to use our own good sense instead of ticking boxes which can only say 'yes' or 'no'.
Showing posts with label youth unemployment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youth unemployment. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
What is it that all parents learn to do but no governments seem to think of?
In spite of the belief of the grumpy British at the moment, we are a very advanced and successful society.
We do all sorts of clever things, staff some of the world's best universities, build nuclear weapons and harness nuclear power, perform heart and liver transplants, run high-tech factories, have drinking water come out of our taps, transport millions of people every day on public transport, maintain a sewage system, provide electricity nation-wide and do lots more besides which we take for granted. But there is one enterprise that is considered too difficult for us.
Most parents, when faced with a child saying "I'm bored" find a task for them to do. According to age it can be help mash the potatoes, clean the bathroom, sweep the front path, tidy the toy cupboard and find something that can be taken to the charity shop for a younger child. Sometimes it even enjoys the task, even learns a new skill and wants to do it again. At the very least, the devil didn't get a chance to employ those idle hands.
But Governments, faced with a million unemployed youth and a country crying out for a general tidying-up, seem unable to harness those forces. The advantages would be manifold:
1. Not letting young school and college leavers get in the habit of not having to get up in the morning.
2. Giving them a feeling that they are needed.
3. Our neighbourhoods looking more cheerful.
4. Even if cleaning and cutting back greenery and painting aren't considered skills, they really are useful.
5. Learning to work in groups to do a task together.
6. Improving relationships between different ages in society. The public, seeing a group of youngsters, would not immediately assume they were "up to no good" , and even be afraid of them (Heaven help us!)- might even thank them for the work they are doing!
This should NOT put street cleaners out of a job. To my mind they are some of the most useful public servants and I am grateful every Tuesday when ours comes round to tidy us up. But there are plenty of corners they can't, even aren't allowed to reach. One is just round the corner - some garages set back from the road where rubbish regularly accumulates, to the despair of the owners. The youngsters could, even, with permission, tidy up the front gardens of those who are too old or too feckless or don't know how to do it themselves.
We do all sorts of clever things, staff some of the world's best universities, build nuclear weapons and harness nuclear power, perform heart and liver transplants, run high-tech factories, have drinking water come out of our taps, transport millions of people every day on public transport, maintain a sewage system, provide electricity nation-wide and do lots more besides which we take for granted. But there is one enterprise that is considered too difficult for us.
Most parents, when faced with a child saying "I'm bored" find a task for them to do. According to age it can be help mash the potatoes, clean the bathroom, sweep the front path, tidy the toy cupboard and find something that can be taken to the charity shop for a younger child. Sometimes it even enjoys the task, even learns a new skill and wants to do it again. At the very least, the devil didn't get a chance to employ those idle hands.
But Governments, faced with a million unemployed youth and a country crying out for a general tidying-up, seem unable to harness those forces. The advantages would be manifold:
1. Not letting young school and college leavers get in the habit of not having to get up in the morning.
2. Giving them a feeling that they are needed.
3. Our neighbourhoods looking more cheerful.
4. Even if cleaning and cutting back greenery and painting aren't considered skills, they really are useful.
5. Learning to work in groups to do a task together.
6. Improving relationships between different ages in society. The public, seeing a group of youngsters, would not immediately assume they were "up to no good" , and even be afraid of them (Heaven help us!)- might even thank them for the work they are doing!
This should NOT put street cleaners out of a job. To my mind they are some of the most useful public servants and I am grateful every Tuesday when ours comes round to tidy us up. But there are plenty of corners they can't, even aren't allowed to reach. One is just round the corner - some garages set back from the road where rubbish regularly accumulates, to the despair of the owners. The youngsters could, even, with permission, tidy up the front gardens of those who are too old or too feckless or don't know how to do it themselves.
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