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The neo-liberalisation policy agenda and its consequences for education in England: A focus on resistance now and possibilities for the future

Maisuria, Alpesh

Authors



Abstract

In this article, the author explores the way that neo-liberalism is becoming more entrenched in the fabric of the education system in England. The article begins by setting out a very brief historical trajectory of neo-liberalism to provide a working definition of a complex and disarticulated socio-political and economic system. In part two, this context then allows for a focused analysis of the way that neo-liberalism is becoming part of the higher education system in England, and the way that it is reconfiguring the purpose of universities and practices of academics and students. In part three, a similar analytical treatment is applied to schooling, drawing particularly on the example of the Academies Programme, which represents a move away from state-provided education but fails to deliver on promises of improvement in achievement. The final part of this article discusses resistance, highlighting a grass-roots campaign against the Academies Programme and an example of an alternative model of higher education emerging. In this final section, the author also explores some of the limitations to such initiatives and concludes by suggesting that, whilst these initiatives may be limited, it is vital to have optimism and rally against the pessimism engendered by fatalism.

Citation

Maisuria, A. (2014). The neo-liberalisation policy agenda and its consequences for education in England: A focus on resistance now and possibilities for the future. Policy Futures in Education, 12(2), 286-296. https://doi.org/10.2304/pfie.2014.12.2.286

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 1, 2014
Online Publication Date Jan 1, 2014
Publication Date Feb 1, 2014
Deposit Date Sep 4, 2020
Journal Policy Futures in Education
Electronic ISSN 1478-2103
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 12
Issue 2
Pages 286-296
DOI https://doi.org/10.2304/pfie.2014.12.2.286
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/5686593
Related Public URLs Previously deposited at UEL - https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/85qy9