Professional Knowledge and Educational Restructuring in Europe
Developing a Conceptual Framework for Understanding
The following chart provides a framework for analysing the various main configurations found when juxtaposing systems narrative and teachers and nurses’ work life narratives.
A number of national case studies highlight the different juxtapositions but as noted this is not to argue that national responses are monolithic. The English case study for instance finds compelling evidence of integration and of restructuring effecting professional change towards what we call ‘re-framed’ professionals.
‘Traditional professionalism was contested under Thatcherism with the rise of market narratives and socialist discourses were silenced to a great extent during this period…. Under New Labour teachers and nurses have become re-framed to work in new circumstances.’ The report adds.
‘In the last ten years under New Labour professionals have been re-framed. Teachers and nurses are now more flexible professionals, their authority has to be earned through team-working, collaborating with clients and life long learning. Meanwhile increased regulation has been introduced…’
‘Hence integration and restructuring have happened but not uniformly, not without contestation and not at all monolithically; contestation, resistance and decoupling can be found in places.’ The report notes.
‘Teachers and nurses are trapped in the gap between government rhetoric and political narrative about choices and entitlements and the reality of the classroom or the hospital situation.
The interviews highlight the unease of professionals with overriding national policies. Using choice and competition as methods of raising standards in public services is seen as intrinsically contradictory and causing greater inequalities in society and taking professionals away from the aims of putting clients first. However the lack of a national underlying oppositional ideology (with socialism having been dropped by the Labour Party) leads to inward motivation and increased professional localism.’
