The plan, which establishes City Technology Colleges (CTC), has generated considerable controversy since its announcement at the Tory party conference last October. The government has admitted that it has not discussed the matter formally with teachers, administrators or industry representatives.
The announcement last month by the electronics firm, Dixons, that it has committed $1.6 million to establish a CTC in South Yorkshire was only the third such offer since the plan was announced about six months ago. It typifies the way the scheme has been proposed and accepted.
On April 10 four regional educational authorities received unexpected letters from the company announcing that the planned CTC would draw students from their regions. The area had not been on the original list presented by Kenneth Baker, Secretary of State for Science and Education, and each is ruled by a Labour councillor, whose party is opposed to the idea.
Dick Andrews, Dixons' ...
