Oct 8, 2020, Bracknell News: Growing concern about cash-strapped schools struggling through pandemic https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/18780047.growing-concern-cash-strapped-schools-struggling-pandemic/ South Central England EDUCATION bosses in Wokingham, who are facing a funding gap of almost £6 million, are concerned they do not have enough money to help schools struggling with the financial impact of Covid-19…. Wokingham Borough Council has been handed £142.74 million of ring-fenced government cash, known as the Dedicated Schools Grant, to fund schools across the borough in 2020/21. But the council predicts that by March 2021, it will be left with a £5.98 million [$7.8M U.S.] deficit, which is largely due to the rising cost of special educational needs services. According to the council, it has “a small contingency budget” of £50,000 to support schools that have been hit hard by the pandemic but “it is unlikely that the level of funds would be sufficient”. However, 16 Wokingham schools have successfully applied for government funding to cover “exceptional costs” and more claims are being considered. The council report states: “Government funding made available to the council to address Covid related pressures more generally has fallen significantly short of budget pressures experienced. “Therefore no flexibility exists to consider this for schools. “A small number of schools were already facing a very difficult financial position for the 2020/21 financial year, and it is therefore likely that a greater number will now face a budget deficit…. Earlier this year, the council predicted a £4.88 million deficit, due to the cost of the Addington School expansion and the cost of placing children in independent special needs schools. But it now expects that to increase by £1.09 million due to the cost of placing children in secondary schools, colleges and special needs schools outside of Wokingham. The council says a review of spending on special educational needs services is “a key priority”.
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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