THERE is a refreshing look to the New Year Honours List published today.

It is that of recognition for people who really do deserve a medal - the inspirational teachers.

For despite the list's now almost-obligatory sport and showbiz gloss - and there is nothing wrong in rewarding those who have entertained millions - it is the prominence given today to education that brings an encouraging new focus to the honours system.

Too often in the past, though leavened with a sprinkling of minor gongs for life's "little people," the list has reflected the "them" of society - the faceless bureaucrats, the political party backers and Establishment figures.

Now, with a clutch of honours for hard-working heads who have turned around failing schools and brought fresh hope and opportunities to neglected communities, and with a string of other awards directly related to teaching, the list has a welcome meaningful new edge.

And it is not just that of recognition going where it is truly deserved, but also of stimulus and encouragement to others.

The teaching profession is one that has received plenty of knocks, but, as parents in particular will recognise, it still abounds with dedicated people committed to good practice and improvement.

And by singling out the best today, the government is not only underlining the priority it has given to better education, through this wholesome improvement to the honours system, it is also advancing that goal.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.