Wider public engagement
20. An issue that has given rise to much debate since
the election is that of how to engage the public more effectively
in the political process. This is an issue that we have taken
seriously, as education is a service which impacts directly on
the lives of a very large proportion of the population.
21. We have been able to engage with those beyond
our usual audience in education by addressing issues which have
a direct relevance to people's lives. Our inquiry into SEN received
240 memoranda, of which approximately half came from individuals,
and it was clear that many people whose children had special educational
needs did take a close interest in what we were doing. On top
of that, we had the opportunity to work with Radio 4's You
and Yours programme to discuss issues relevant to the inquiry.
The Chairman took part in a panel discussion and phone-in live
on air, and subsequently 700 people gave comments to us via the
programme through telephone calls, e-mails and letters.
22. We tried another form of outreach in our sustainable
schools inquiry. We established a consultation exercise facilitated
for us by Teachers' TV through their website. Teachers, governors
and other school staff were invited to give their views on what
they wanted from the Building Schools for the Future programme,
and 148 people responded. Teachers' TV is also preparing a documentary
on the inquiry process, which it intends to screen in conjunction
with the publication of the report later in the year.
23. We believe that these exercises have been
extremely successful in gathering comment for our inquiries that
we would not otherwise have received. They have also helped
to raise the profile of the Committee's work with the population
at large, enabling people to see Members of Parliament working
in a serious and non-partisan way on issues that are of real significance,
and so helping to increase appreciation of the select committee
system. We are in no doubt that these consultations have been
of great value to our work, and will be aiming to undertake similar
projects in the coming year.
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