Statistical smoke and mirrors in education ministers’ recent pronouncements: part 1

How much time should be devoted to fact-checking the politically-tinged musings of those overseeing our schools as ministers?

There is a case that Education Uncovered’s attention would be more productively directed to other tasks, given the predictability with which politicians may be…let’s just say prone to push the boundaries in their often rose-tinted interpretation of reality.

However, it does seem important to hold two texts, both penned in recent days, up to the light. I’ve thus come up with more than 10 fact-checking points to make about articles published under the names of Nick Gibb, schools minister, and Damian Hinds, secretary of state for education, last week.

I’m going to start with Gibb. Below follow eight fact-checking points on an article published under his name on Thursday.

Nick Gibb’s piece in the Telegraph on phonics