In the founding document of the British welfare state, the Beveridge Report, ‘ignorance’ was identified as one of the ‘five giants on the road of reconstruction’. Dealing with ignorance meant developing education and greater equality of education to all children, with local authorities having a vital role to play. This paper focuses on the development of education policy in the UK by analysing legislative provision related to the role played by central and local government, and equality of opportunity. It argues that there have been notable changes across all phases of education. In England, central government plays a greater role than previously, and has created enduring state-controlled markets in which education institutions operate; local authorities have a reduced role. This contrasts with Scotland and Wales. Ideas about equality of opportunity have also shifted over time and vary not only between different phases of education, but also between the countries of the UK. Whilst equality of access has increased, equality of educational outcome remains elusive.

中文翻译：

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贝弗里奇 80 年后英国的教育和无知：政府的作用和机会平等

在英国福利国家的创始文件《贝弗里奇报告》中，“无知”被确定为“重建道路上的五巨头”之一。处理无知意味着发展教育，让所有儿童都享有更大的教育平等，地方当局可以发挥至关重要的作用。本文通过分析与中央和地方政府所扮演的角色以及机会平等相关的立法规定，重点关注英国教育政策的发展。它认为，教育的各个阶段都发生了显着变化。在英格兰，中央政府比以前发挥了更大的作用，并创造了教育机构运营的持久的国家控制市场；地方当局的作用减少了。这与苏格兰和威尔士形成鲜明对比。关于机会平等的想法也随着时间的推移而发生变化，不仅在不同的教育阶段之间存在差异，而且在英国国家之间也存在差异。虽然机会平等有所增加，但教育成果的平等仍然难以捉摸。