Last week, Morris Simpson’s column concluded with the opening verses of a Curriculum for Excellence song. Reader response has requested the full version, which we print today.
Please note, The TESS does not endorse these lyrics: they were composed by teacher Davie McManus, whose antagonistic approach towards CfE is shown by the song’s title, “C.F.F.E”, where the third acronymic letter purports to be a tangible demonstration of McManus’s disaffection. We swear it! The tune belongs to the Village People anthem of 1979, “Y.M.C.A”. So get down and boogie, as they used to say .
Young man! There’s no need to feel down
I said, young man! Pick yourself off the ground
I said, young man! We’ve got great things to do
There’s a bright - new - thing for teachers .
Young man! Kids will learn for themselves
I said, young man! Put those books on the shelves -
They don’t need them! And I’m sure you will find
That the kids will - just - have - good - times .
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E
It has everything for the kids to enjoy
`Cos they can do whatever they feel!
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E .
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E .
It’s been comin’ now, for nearly 10 years
An’ full implementation will allay all your fears!
Young man! Are you listenin’ to me?
I said, young man! What do you want to be?
I said, young man! This could make your career
If you let - your - kids - take - charge - of - lessons .
No man does it all by himself
But there’s help there - take it down from the shelf
Go see Bernard - down at L and T S
And you’ll - get - a - great - big - folder .
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E .
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E .
It’s got Experiences - and Outcomes too
And four great levels - all for you!
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E .
It’s fun to work with the C-F-F-E .
An’ if you want to check how well your kids have done
There’s no need to assess, just ask if they’ve had fun!
Young man! Just get signed up today!
I say, young man! There can be no delay
Unless - oh no! A new plan of attack
If Mike Russell - says he’s putting it back!
`Cos then we’d have to wait for the C-F-F-E .
Wait to have fun with the C-F-F-E
It’s anything you want it to be
A total vacuum - quite exemplary .
Yes, then we’d have to wait for the C-F-F-E .
Wait to have fun with the C-F-F-E .
