New Education Secretary

Mon, May 08, 2006

Source: Teaching Times

Tony Blair has made Alan Johnson, the former trade union leader, the new education secretary, replacing the Ruth Kelly in a Cabinet re-shuffle.

Tony Blair has made Alan Johnson, the former trade union leader, the new education secretary, replacing the Ruth Kelly in a Cabinet re-shuffle. 
 
Mr Johnson’s mandate will be to push through the government's controversial education bill and champion the concept of independent school trusts to a unconvinced public.

In the reshuffle, Ms Kelly has been moved to head a new local government department, with many of the responsibilities formerly held by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Mr Johnson, who is tipped as a future deputy leader, previously held cabinet posts as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, as well as the post of Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education from 2003 to 2004.

He has also served as Minister of State for Employment Relations and Regions and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Competitiveness, both at the Department of Trade and Industry.

Alan Johnson said: “I am delighted to be returning to the Department as Secretary of State. Education remains the Government’s number one priority and we are in a process of radical change which will further enhance educational opportunity and attainment.

“This government has a proud record of improvement and investment in education, but we have more to do before we can be satisfied that every child in every school is receiving the highest standard of education that we can provide.”

 He has a tremendous background knowledge of education and a capacity to deal with tough problems 

Commenting on the new Education Secretary, General Secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT), Philip Parkin, said: “He faces many challenges, including the ongoing workforce remodelling process, the implementation of the Every Child Matters agenda, and the pay problems affecting lecturers and childcarers.

“I look forward to working with the new Education Secretary as part of the Social Partnership between the unions and government.

“Ruth Kelly had to endure a great deal during her time in office. Many of the issues and circumstances she faced weren’t kind to her. She demonstrated considerable endurance, patience and dedication. I hope she has a longer and more positive tenure in her new post.”

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said that while Mr Johnson brought with him “a tremendous background knowledge of education and a capacity to deal with tough problems”, he would be expected to “steer a highly divisive and unpopular education bill through parliament”.

“The best step that could be taken is for the government to withdraw the bill, "he said.

The shadow education secretary, David Willetts, said of Mr Johnson: “He was sent to tackle the pensions crisis, then we’ve had the energy crisis, so now Tony Blair must realise how serious the problems in our education system are.”

Teaching Times