The Department for Education (DfE) has sparked widespread anger with a Facebook post that was intended as a tongue-in-cheek apology but has been condemned by thousands of teachers and parents.
A Sarcastic Statement That Missed the Mark
Published earlier this week, the post began with the caption "We'll take this one on the chin" and mimicked a formal apology. However, it quickly became clear the department was being sarcastic, 'apologising' for the positive outcomes of its policies. The statement listed what it called 'unexpected consequences' of its work, leaving many in the education community furious at its flippant tone.
The post has garnered nearly 10,000 reactions, with the vast majority being 'angry' face emojis, and has attracted over 6,000 comments. One commenter stated, "I thought this was a spoof. It sounds like something Trump would say," while another simply noted, "Well that went down like a lead balloon." A third critic pointedly wrote, "Tell me you've never worked a day in Education or early years, without telling me."
The 'Apology' and the Backlash
In the detailed statement, the DfE sarcastically expressed regret for several of its achievements. It highlighted that its Best Start Free Breakfast Clubs have served over 2.6 million meals, leading to "unforeseen levels of concentration in our classrooms" and leaving parents with "an alarming amount of unexpected free time."
It also 'apologised' for its 30 hours of government-funded childcare, which saves parents an average of £7,500 per child per year. The statement claimed this has triggered an "outrageous increase in household savings" and placed a "shocking new focus on the importance of school readiness."
Furthermore, the post addressed school attendance, stating that its drive to tackle absences has gotten 140,000 children back in class and recruited thousands more teachers, resulting in classrooms "teeming with ambitious young people." The department attributed this to its "Plan for Change," suggesting it had "raised the bar alarmingly high."
Official Response and Continuing Fallout
Many respondents questioned whether the post was a joke, with one teacher commenting, "Assuming this is satire, because, as a teacher, I can say things have only got worse recently, not better." Another critic questioned a change in media strategy, saying, "Has there been a new media team? This type of 'humour' I’d expect from Aldi or somewhere, not a government department."
When approached for comment, a Department for Education spokesperson defended the post, stating: "As government, it's crucial that we communicate the ways hard-working parents can save money while providing children with the best start of life. Meeting people where they are, with information they need to know, is our priority."
The spokesperson reiterated the department's pride in its achievements, including rolling out free breakfast clubs, making the biggest attendance gains since 2010, and saving parents £7,500 through childcare funding. Despite this official defence, the post has been widely perceived as a significant misstep in communicating with a sector already under considerable pressure.
