More than 1,000 schools in Britain have recorded
cases of swine flu, and more than 60 per cent of infections have been in
children and teenagers.
So I read with interest an article in today's Times, saying that the BBC
could be forced to clear its schedules to make way for educational programming
if a swine flu pandemic shuts schools, piping lessons straight into pupils’
living rooms.
Ministers had considered using the internet to
teach pupils at home but the television was considered more effective as not
everyone has access to broadband. Broadband usage statistics indicate that 64%
of the UK population has fast internet access, so I guess television
broadcasting makes more sense, although I see no reason why the programmes
could not be made available on YouTube at the same time.
The BBC however are fighting against this proposal,
as “taking control of the schedule would be tantamount to taking control of the
BBC. It has never happened. To do so would destroy our reputation around the
world as an impartial broadcaster.” Really? We are talking about educational programming here, are we not?
Maybe the BBC would like some feedback from someone who pays their License Fee every year. Would I like my children to be educated if Schools have to be closed down because of a pandemic – a resounding yes! If it means that we have to miss an episode of Cash In The Attic then so be it. My children were unavailable for comment….
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