Let’s start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
We will not lament the failure of departments, ministers, D-Gs, principals, teachers, parents or students
We who have failed our nation, failed our future, failed ourselves
The failure a trillion times worse than the pathetic pass marks and pass rates
Humpty Dumpty sat on a bank
Humpty Dumpty had a great fail
We will not bemoan the scandals of buying posts, thefts of catering provisions for children, dumping of textbooks or the burning of schools
That have mercilessly stomped on the heads of children they should have been nurturing
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
Let every learner, teacher, official and parent be recognised
Let their self-respect make them proud and accountable
Let us build a nation of hope
Based on a desire for a new dawn
Reading, writing, arithmetic
Rearing, respecting, righting
Instil the principles of integrity, honesty and justice by living them
Light this fire within ourselves, our homes, our neighbourhoods and our schools
Feed this flame with love, acceptance, peace and purity
Twinkle, twinkle little stars
Illuminate the gloom and doom
Let us proclaim our desire to address the crisis
The crisis of education, the crisis of faith
Implement the best of policies, discard the worst
Come together without blame and judgment
To work and play and learn and teach
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow!
You’re only a hope away
- With thanks to children nursery rhyme authors and musical composers