Children’s charity calls for end to classroom divide

Child Poverty Action Group is today publishing a new report, 2 skint 4 school: time to end the classroom divide.

The report finds that, not only does poverty have a profound and negative impact on child development and pre-school experiences, but the education system compounds inequality through:

• selection procedures
• complex funding streams
• high levels of truancy and exclusion for disadvantaged groups
• poor teacher training and support on needs of disadvantaged groups
• additional school costs for social, cultural and educational activities

Kate Green, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said:

“The main factor behind children failing at school is economic inequality. Our school system is failing far too many children from poor families. We will not end educational failure until we end child poverty.

“Many teachers are showing great commitment in tough circumstances. But they cannot be expected to solve inside the classroom all the problems of social and economic inequality that come in through the school gates.”

The report also highlights contradictions between the Government’s education agenda and welfare to work proposals. Kate Green added:

“The Government must ensure that children can take full advantage of their schooling by protecting all children from poverty, regardless of whether their parents can access work.”

Notes for editors

• Read the executive summary of 2 skint 4 school: time to end the classroom divide briefing
• Download the full report 2 skint 4 school: time to end the classroom divide
  (21 pages) 206 KB pdf file
• CPAG is one of over 100 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk