HERE is growing criticism by parents in central areas of Bristol over proposals recently announced which make it clear that the 11-plus has been scrapped only to be replaced by a different form of selection. Council plans to go all comprehensive do not include a_ large area of central Bristol, due partly to a present lack of suitable buildings, and a “two-tier” system is not considered practical for this area. In contrast fo previous protest groups, the New group is basically in favour of comprehensive education but. feels that the existing Council plans do not go far enough in their areas:' They are organising petitions and making approaches to MPS and councillors.
A letter from the “Dissatisfied Parents’ Committee” to Mr. Will Wilkins, M.P. for Bristol South, sums up the feelings of the parents: “The vast majority are condemned, without option of any kind, to finish their education at one of four secondary modern schools. We believe we are supported by all impartial opinion throughout the city in our view that this is utterly contrary to the spirit of the proposal put forward by the chairman of the Education Committee when he announced plans for ‘comprehensive schooling for all.’ A protest petition has been preed and is available from Mr. P. ordan, 18 Pembroke Road, Southville, Bristol. .
saving equal to the Glasgow Rates
Subsidy. In the long term socialists
should also be seeking a complete
review of the rating system, which
imposes an intolerable burden on a
city with an acute housing problem.
Either some system of equalisation
between local authorities must be de-
vised or the rating system done away
with and replaced by a new Ex-
chequer controlled system of taxa-
tion.
Meanwhile the fight against rent
increases and: over differential rent
schemes become increasingly difficult.
While government action remains’ the
_ only long-term solution, it would be
interesting to hear, through the pages
of The Week how comrades in other
areas are facing up to this question.