But the school system does not simply reflect society's inequalities; it can serve to reduce them or to reinforce them.
Some of Labour's policies are positive, especially in the early years - Sure Start, expanded nursery provision, extended schools, the Every Child Matters agenda. The trouble is that it is too little and too late.
During primary and secondary school the social class gap widens, not just because of external factors but as the direct result of Labour's education policies:
A 'back to basics' curricuLast month's issue of Socialist Resistance reported that student Victor Ofosu was standing in the student union elections at London South Bank University.
We can report that Victor won the position VicePresident Communication having used his campaign to call for the withdrawal of British troops in Iraq, free education and an independent students union.
The turnout at the election was very low.
Of 21,000 students entitled
to vote at the university. only 427 actually did. This appalling turnout has to be the responsibility of the returning officers, members of senior management at South Bank, who did not promote or advertise the election adequately. Only 20 students turned out to the hustings to hear the candidates speak.
Victor received 315 votes out of 427, three quarters of the entire turnout, showing that where there is a strong campaign students are not apolitical or dis-interested, but respond to socialists who talk about global issues such as the war in Iraq, and relate them to the real concerns of students such as fees.
Victor is now well-placed to campaign next year to democratise the students union, and build a campaigning union which fights for the interests of its members.
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