Boris Johnson to write for Daily Telegraph again

lwhi

"If you can do Greek and Latin - chances are, you have a posh public-school education. So yes, if you believe that nepotism and the old-boy network are still serving the country well, knowledge of the classics equals being able to do anything.

Thanks for reaffirming that, Boris Senior. Though I'd like to see how your knowledge of Homer's Iliad would stop you from getting the happy-slapping you deserve."

30 years ago, when I went from state primary to state grammar to Cambridge to read Classics, the discipline was not the preserve of the privately educated it has since become. Latin and Greek were taught to the very able in selective schools, regardless of parental income. What a large body of subsequent research has shown to be unequalled tools for developing the intellect were available to all those who had the ability to benefit from them. It is not the fault of the private sector, or those who use them, that they are holding the line for intellectual rigour here as in sciences, maths and modern languages, and that the state sector has fled from anything that even hints of difficulty.

Secondly, I'm sorry that you believe that anyone deserves a happy slapping, let alone someone old enough to be Boris's father. He's in his 70s, for goodness' sake.

He looks like a grown up version of the milky bar kid. If milky-bars still exist, Boris should be their poster boy.

Its fascinating, could he be one of Hitlers genetically engineered super Arians ?

it's like a little halo.

but look at his hair its amazing!!!!

Well, are there suggestions as to what it could contribute towards? Builders and cat flap men have let me down due to work loads recently; how about good old trades?

The "Boris bursary" could have twice the amount of influence on any another part of our city's educational body. The LCC branches are by far the most affluent in donations.

@emmahill: I agree that promoting the classics is a positive thing - but why single out the classics above other subjects and mention it at the beginning of his term?

Maybe it is because he feels that the classics are under-represented and genuinely need funding?

I'm more cynical - I think that by singling out the classics, Boris is making a statement about his own education and in turn is also showing where his allegiance lies (to the middle classes).

Class divisions are alive and well in the UK, and the Tory agenda generally monopolises on this fact. If anything, I think Boris is trivialising the problems our schools face.

How far can £25k towards getting more students studying the classics in central London? It's a noble gesture but I wonder if more money's needed for it to have real impact.

I think everyone's getting blinded by the fact its Tory Boris making the suggestions ... cos promoting the classics, Latin or simply the Greek myths can't in itself be a bad thing!?

Surely we're not arrogant enough to assume that no one growing up in modern London would be interested in them, and by extension, getting a more diverse education?

Funny, I think Caesar spoke Greek and Latin and found it incredibly hard to run London.

If you can do Greek and Latin - chances are, you have a posh public-school education. So yes, if you believe that nepotism and the old-boy network are still serving the country well, knowledge of the classics equals being able to do anything.

Thanks for reaffirming that, Boris Senior. Though I'd like to see how your knowledge of Homer's Iliad would stop you from getting the happy-slapping you deserve.