Gove fails to hide problems facing new free schools
Monday 03 September 2012
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EmailFree schools-obsessed Education Secretary Michael Gove attempted to gloss over the problems besetting his pet project today, writes Roger Bagley.
Mr Gove told MPs at question time that it was a "pleasure" to announce that 55 new free schools would be opening this month.
He failed to mention that many of the new schools are plagued with problems including lack of pupils and being reduced to using ancient or unsuitable temporary buildings. Some have failed to open at all.
Mr Gove taunted critical Labour MPs by declaring: "I am delighted that we are building on the good work of Labour reformers like Lord Adonis."
Labour shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg wrote to Mr Gove demanding that he must reveal how much money had been spent on free school projects which had failed to get off the ground.
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