Industry News
Seal plans "flawed"
Posted on 12th September 2007
Plans to teach "emotional intelligence" in state schools are flawed and are being bolted on to an "already unwieldy curriculum", a commentator has said.
Writing in the Times, Magnus Linklater said he was unconvinced the handling of emotion could be taught and questioned whether all teachers would be qualified and capable of teaching it if it could be.
"Breaking that cycle of contempt and alienation is the greatest educational challenge of our time," he claimed but questioned whether the plans could tackle areas where social order had broken down and "drugs, gangs and guns" had become everyday facts.
He made his comments following the secretary for children, schools and families Ed Balls' recent announcement that happiness classes, known as social and emotional aspects of learning or Seal, would be introduced to state secondary schools.
Schools which have already implemented the programme have seen a "marked improvement", the MP said and added he believes Seal classes will contribute to social mobility, positive behaviour and attendance levels.