London, Mar 24(ANI): London Mayor Boris Johnson has said he desires to take on strategic oversight of schools if re-elected to the post and claimed only a systemic policy against educational under- achievement can tackle the social exclusion that he believes caused the London riots in 2011.
Johnson, who has already launched an inquiry into the state of London's education said that he believed some schools in London were "chillingly bad", adding that it was unacceptable to have 55 percent of young black men unemployed.
"The biggest shock for me from the riots was the sheer sense of nihilism - perhaps I should not have been shocked, but in my view literacy and numeracy are the best places to start. In seven particular boroughs in London one in four children are leaving functionally illiterate. In a few schools it is nearer 50%. We have to intervene at an earlier stage, and I think the mayor can help," The Guardian quoted him, as saying.
Johnson was also unapologetic about the way he campaigned for a cut in 50 percent top rate of income tax in this week's budget, even though post-budget polls show the cut is opposed by Londoners by a margin of 55 percent to 35 percent.
"I have always argued that London has got to be tax-competitive. I think it is crazy to go on endlessly with a tax rate that is amongst the highest in the G20," he said.
Johnson's decision is seen by aides as a logical extension of his existing role on skills, training and employment in London but they also argue that his battle to reduce joblessness in London, and prevent new jobs from to highly motivated foreigners will be hampered if he does not control standard or plan to open new 100,000 schools in London.(ANI)
|
|
Read More: Gua
Comments:
