“It isn't very clear from this article if they are refering to Cornwall or Nationwide. But i have to say, i went to school in Cornwall and remember school trips to farms in infant and primary school. We also went on school camp to Devon where we milked cows, rounded up sheep and certainly learnt the differnce between the animals and the meat they produced. This was reinforced in secondary school in food technology where we did 40% practical and 60% theory. Im sure that if i didnt already know at the time and i missed these fantastic school trips it would have been down to my parents to teach me the basics! I left School in 2001. Have things changed that much since then??

If, as a parent you noticed your son or daughter couldnt tie their shoe laces when their peers could - who would you blame? The Goverment? No - yourself!!!”

“I really hate that expression, 'money doesn't grow on trees. It's bloody paper, admittedly the ink is understandable but the paper, that most certainly is a frickin' tree. If you're commenting on a news article about education, make sure you don't leave a gap in your armour like that.

Now it's so easy to blame the schools, the council and the government, but really it's the parents that should be fortifying the basics in their children's minds. The schools have more important things to teach, like Noah's Ark and how to sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm, and they choose to spend the time they have with the children as wisely as they can. Now if you are a parent and feel worried that your child is a borderline retard on the subject of where Bacon comes from sit them down and don't be afraid to talk to them...!

It's like parents think we carry a fricking fatal disease or something, because they just prefer to unload us on to the school instead of correcting something that is most definitely their problem to deal with.”

“Why blame this on the education system? The examples quoted are things the children should have got from their parents. Too often the teachers get stick for the shortcomings at home and they have my sympathy. The very basics of education are being neglected. My children could read before they went to school as I'm sure could many others whose parents took the time.”

“Well! when I was sent out by Hea moor school in the early 1940's to help with the harvest and war effort at Jelberts farms in Bone Valley and Gulval I had no idea
I am trying to remember the name of the Farmer who farmed the land where in the area the new Heamoor school is. He had a great relationship with kids and taught them to milk cows.
That it was all part of my education.”

“I know what you mean Max. Don't even get me started on the Federal Reserve.... Cheers.

Best Freethinker”