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"There is too much emphasis on traditional written examinations, sometimes at the expense of wider learning, skills and personal development."
"the recommendations, ... were intended to raise standards and would not "dumb-down" the exams system."
"The present system of qualifications condemns 50% of young people to the scrap heap at 16."
"the recommendations, ... were intended to raise standards and would not "dumb-down" the exams system."
"The present system of qualifications condemns 50% of young people to the scrap heap at 16."
I'm not sure how you could "dumb down" the system any more than removing the necessity of being able to write! The reason 50% of young people are "scrapped" at 16 might have more to do with them being stupid lazy fuckers and less to do with the way the exams are set. This country’s literacy levels are shockingly low, the way to combat this is not to make it easier to get a qualification.
<gets on soap box> "In my day" ... I sat GSE 'O'Levels (very old exam system) CSE's (new exam system for the less intelligent) and GCSE's (supposedly a mixture of the two). I passed all my CSE's because only 30% of my final marks were based on the end of term exam. All the other marks were based on homework and teachers assessment. Anyone who was willing to spend a little time could pass a CSE as you can redo your homework to get a better mark. The GCSE's are the same. The fact that 'A' Levels require you to actually *remember* stuff in a final exam (where it's certain that the work is really done by that person) gives them respectability.
What's next? Perhaps they should change the way degrees are handed out. Maybe examinations should be stopped altogether. What if we was all just given whatever qualifications we want to get that perfect job?
The world really is going to hell in a handbasket.
Tags: rant
Current Mood: disappointed
