It was the greatest honour of my career to be appointed to the best brief in Government: running the Department for Education. In my previous role as vaccines minister, overseeing one of Europe’s fastest roll-outs, I learnt many things that I am bringing to this job. One is to focus on delivery on the ground. Another is the importance of evidence and data.
Now, as we move from pandemic to endemic, we have done our utmost to ensure schools remain open for face-to-face learning. We should be immensely grateful to the amazing teachers and support staff who are working hard keeping the doors of our schools open, despite all the challenges that Omicron has posed. This summer UK schools will stay open and exams will go ahead as planned.
But as we move beyond the pandemic, I have a vision of an education system in which every child has the chance to make the most of their abilities and become the best version of themselves.
There is already so much to be proud of. I know this better than most, having come to the UK as an 11-year-old Kurdish boy without a word of English. Struggling…
