WHEN so many things are wrong with the world, it's worth reflecting on how far we've come.

The Northern Echo Schools Awards were presented in Newton Aycliffe today and it was a chance to shine the spotlight on the inspirational achievements of pupils and teachers in our region.

We have our share of failing schools in the North-East, but they are heavily outnumbered by the good ones and, on the whole, our children enjoy a fulfilling, happy, caring education.

Spare a thought then for the contrasting picture painted at today's event by Dave Temple, of the Durham Miners' Association.

Before presenting the Head Teacher of the Year Award, Dave explained why the Durham Miners' Association had wanted to be the main sponsor of the event.

Dave told how infants of six and seven worked 16-hour shifts – sometimes 18 hours – down the pit until a long and bitter strike in 1831 got it reduced to 12 hours.

It was the only way the miners could claw back the time educate their children. With 16-hour shifts, there could only be work and sleep, but 12-hour shifts made room for schooling in makeshift classrooms.

It was another 40 years before the miners won the fight for legislation to make it illegal to employ children under ten underground. Even then, 11 and 12-year-olds were still working 16-hour shifts in the darkness and stale, choking air.

"That's why we wanted the Durham Miners' Association to be involved in a schools event – because it's important to learn lessons for the future by looking to the past," said Dave Temple. "Children of today should be taught about the hardship children of the past had to endure."

I think he's right.