EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION!   Well the novelty of writing a blog has passed but I will keep going. To keep it fresh for myself I will write it in one session directly on the computer, complete with spelling mistakes, swearing and lots of things to cause offence.   Before I get underway a bit of an update on my son's band Hunting Bears. Their last gig before their get together with legendary Nick Mason of legendary Pink Floyd is now at the Croft in Bristol on Tues 18th August. Please come along whoever you are.   As a committed socialist one of the things that makes me so mad is the accepted inequality in education. It's one of those crystal clear issues that should be beyond any kind of debate. We're so quick as a country to claim all kinds of moral high ground. Our record in exporting terror through war and contribution to environmental damage should make us a pariah state. Closer to home though things are no better. Despite technological 'progress' and a greater understanding of things (is this true?) our society is shockingly unequal. This is something that never sinks in. The contrast in the wealth, power, consumption and, of course, quality of life between the top and the bottom is beyond comprehension. In fact the contrast between the middle and the bottom is something to behold too.   But of course this system perpetuates itself as only those who benefit can change things (peacefully, anyway). So from the day you are born your life is pretty much mapped out. And education plays a key role. The wealthy will send their kids to private and public schools (unless their local state school tops the local league table). The paranoid and insecure middle classes will get in a panic for many years (and act like sheep) before either deciding either:- yes their son or daughter will somehow survive in their local school; or they'd better send their kid across town/country to that school doing so well in the league table; or putting their beliefs and fears into action they move in order to access a particular school. This is something apparently called choice and freedom and we're supposed to be proud of it. But all that happens is a status quo, we all keep our place in our great social hierarchy.   While it's great to observe any suffering of the middle classes all of this does matter. Because educational experience will basically reflect that of society and will (consciously and unconsciously) shape the kids for what follows. So there is a big contrast between the resources and mentality between the private schools (have you seen the facilities they possess!?) and the so-called 'successful' and better performing state schools (rewarded with extra government money) all the way to those schools with falling pupil numbers and labelled as 'failing' (and which the middle classes would cross the road to avoid). Would you not think that somehow we as a society (me and you) would decide that every child would have a similarly positive educational experience with similar access to resources and facilities, with as much support for kids as needed. Instead of a system that sees schools as competitors, as if there's any doubt who the winners and losers will be.   Where do single parents fit in? Most of us will send our kids to our local school whether we want to or not. In a lot of cases the schools will be those labelled 'failing'. What to do? I think as a point of principle we should send our children to our local school and, if necessary, get involved to improve it. Any group of people acting together can make a big difference, especially using simple, effective arguments. We do live in a society that pays lip service to fairness and justice. Part of the problem is people who know all this but will hypocritically act otherwise and insult their local school by sending their kids elsewhere. Groups like CASE (Campaign for State Education) are well worth supporting. Vote for MPs or Councillors who support the abolishment of private education.   Just think what's at stake! An education system that benefits everyone will then feed into the wider society and be a strong force for a truly fair society.