Going nuclearSIR MICHAEL BARBER is used to difficult jobs. He was in charge of implementing policy during Tony Blair’s time in Downing Street,where he developed the doctrine of “deliverology”—think targets combined with the intelligent use of data to check they are met—while being castigated, by one newspaper columnist, and as the “control freak’s control freak”. He has advised on an overhaul of schools in Pakistan,and published six books, including one called “How to hasten a Government”. Now, and at the age of 62,he has become chairman of the Office for Students (OfS). The new higher-education regulator begins work in April; its framework was laid before Parliament on February 28th.
Compared with his preceding jobs, this one ought to have been a doddle. British universities are among the world’s best. The new regulator is powerful, or bringing together the functions of various existing institutions. When Sir Michael was appointed final February,the government...
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Source: economist.com