Poor spelling blots education minister's copybook (From Thisisdorset)

Poor spelling blots education minister's copybook

3:44pm Thursday 5th February 2009

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MUST try harder, see me after class.

Education, education, education was one of Labour’s mantras when the party came to power in 1997, but a top Dorset minister has been found out for sloppy standards on his own website.

Schools minister, Jim Knight, writes a regular blog about his work both nationally and in his South Dorset constituency, but it seems he needs to check his work a bit more thoroughly before sending it live.

The blog is littered with spelling mistakes; errors include “maintainence”, “curently”, and “reccess”.

The “i before e, except after c” rule – taught to youngsters at primary school level – is a clear problem, as “acheiving” is wrong. “Receieved” clearly boasts one “e” too many.

Elsewhere on the website, Mr Knight’s biography reveals that he is a Cambridge graduate, achieving a degree in geography and social and political sciences. He also attended expensive Eltham College, in Mottingham, South East London.

The Labour minister is responsible for improving education across the country and it appears his busy role has led to his own standards taking a tumble.

He said: “When I was at school the teachers told me to always check my work.

“While my spelling is generally pretty good, clearly I need to focus on checking before putting blogs on my website.”

Other mistakes on the website include: “convicned”, “similiar”, “foce”, “pernsioners”, and “archeaological”.

Conservative education spokesman, Rob Wilson, said: “He’ll be disappointed with his efforts in class but I’m sure he’ll make every effort to improve now teacher has noticed he’s falling behind.”

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