A Look At Higher Education

Higher education. Back in my day that used to be when your mum corrected you on your rolling technique. Nowadays it's all about collecting lots of pieces of paper, and young people with lots of paper being told that it doesn't mean squat.

Educational Secretary Michael Gove is drawing up plans to re-introduce the two-tier O-Level education system to replace the current single-tier GCSE model.

Under the plans, leaked to the Daily Mail, Michael Gove hopes to see students aged at 16 start to study for “explicitly harder” exams in the big three subjects: English, Mathematics and Sciences.

Thankfully it is likely that Mr Gove will be facing a tough opposition to the plans from Liberal Democrat Coalition MP's who fear the return of the draconian two-tier system, the system of which is linked to bring back the CSE exams for "less intelligent" pupils of which would drastically hamper social mobility.

["Less intelligent" *shudders* I'm going to have to write an essay about that concept some time.]
Interestingly however, Deputy PM Nick Clegg, first to proclaim his distance from the unfinished proposal, has been given the position of overseeing the development of the already unpopular proposal. Given how much instant back lash the government would receive from this implementation I think this is Cameron passing off accountability to his whipping bitch.

No, no. I insist - you are the one always complaining of not having enough responsibility.

I have several major problems with this proposal [naturally], but first of all in order to understand, and legitimise our instant hate for the concept, we must understand what an O-Level is. Cause fuck knows I ain't got a clue . . .

So in order to find out the answer to this question and more I called on a professional who has extensive insider knowledge to the O-Level system. My mum.

So goes the legend; The GCE [General Certificate of Education] was introduced in 1951 in England and Northern Ireland to replace the then standard education system. The O-Level [Ordinary Level] was the lower tier of study for students under the GCE  system. The A Level [Advanced Level] was the higher tier, though only eligible for those who studied a further two years after their O-Levels. In order to be eligible to take an O-Level you must firstly express an interest in taking a subject at O-Level and secondly be completely at the mercy of your tutor as to whether you'll be able to take it or not. Huh. Doesn't seem that good, kind of like the current A-Level system.

O-Levels were introduced in the 1950's as a reform to the then current education model. O-Levels are predominantly exam based, which offers an extremely limited scope of an individuals overall capabilities. However it is noted that the system was advantageous to boys who tended to receive higher grades consistently. Passing grades were labelled 1-6, or A-E for a modern equivalent. Grades 7-9, or U, were classified fails blah blah blah . . .

Bored.

Alright, I think that will do, onwards to the good stuff.

I love my mum [audience: "Aw!"] and trust her opinion on this topic as she went through the process herself and has lived to see the introduction of GCSE's and the effect that has had on the education system, plus being an ex-councillor she has spent a lot of time in schools and working with students and parents alike.

Perhaps controversially, my mum likes this idea. It may just be that it's familiar to her but on the other hand she does have a lot of experience working within the modern system and has raised and put through school two boys by herself.

She says that the system as it current stands does little to push the individual towards achieving their best, not because they want to but because they have to. There it little pleasure in modern learning, and I agree. Plus should the subject be difficult to grasp there is little chance of flexibility to be taught in a way that you can understand. The curriculum is exceptionally ridged and teachers do not have the time to spend personally tutoring each student that should need it [though it is reasonable to assume that is their primate job].
'Back in the day' it was not uncommon for students to switch between "streams", which means that everyone could move up or down tiers depending on their performance for the year.
During your final year you also have to conduct and hand in a piece of course work. The topic of which is to be discussed between student and teacher, but can be on any given topic within the subjects horizons.

Doesn't that just sound awesome?

For those who didn't know.

Historically girls have done better at coursework then boys [apparently this is where my mum really shone] but it gives everyone an equal chance to prove their strengths, either through thoroughly constructed and thought out written arguments or the exam process. To me, course work was always preferable. Though I was never very good at setting my own targets, yet alone sticking to them, this process of exploring and recording your own thoughts and laying out your opinions in a structure to clearly define facts encourages, and is, exactly what the government is screaming out for - critical thinkers! The modern regimented exam hall is much like the female toilets of the Ms World pageant contest, on mass regurgitation is encouraged for success.

Additionally back in the day [I love that saying] there was a broader range of subjects to be chosen from, ranging from the academic [Maths, English, Sciences etc] to the practical [Gardening, Sowing, Plastering etc]. Those who are not academically minded came out of school with practical experience to apply to life after state education, though fewer qualifications, and were less hindered because of it compared to modern students. It mattered less if you couldn't get a C grade for Maths as long as you were an efficient typist or craftsman. And you were usually prolific in that because you genuinely enjoyed what you were doing.

Whilst it has been argued that the O-Level system will create a two tier level of employment b teachers unions- those who have qualifications and those who have experience, it's a lot better then what we have currently; those who have lots of qualifications and those who don't have anything. The two tier system already exists. And whilst it's argued that it will hinder social mobility for those who don't have qualifications we are already seeing this problem today because of our economy. Social mobility is at a stand still, if you're lucky. However, I predict that very soon having a qualification will result in nothing but a massive waste of money. In our economy value equates to it's rarity in demand. The qualification is not rare is not in demand. The wealth of experience is coming back, and it's value will be strong. We may live to see a time when having a qualification is a hindrance.

The Modern Job Centre

 Saying all this however we must also consider the time which this was occurring. The grammar school was still held in high regard over comprehensives and newly trained teachers of the 70's, radical in their approaches to independent thought and enthusiasm and encouragement, no doubt were invaluable to the success of the experience of an O-Level education. Lots of money had been given to the education system, where now we only see cuts and government complaints of waste and over-expenditure. So really my mum had a rather good time of it.

I suppose, all in all, if the structure is shit and the work is shit and the delivery of information is shit then the education system will always be shit. Very little of what I was taught at school has applied to my real life experiences - knowledge of the eighteen hundreds American west has not got me a job thus far.

For an example of Shitty McShitness just look at the newly introduced and privately funded Acadamys - HA! They're already under-performing at exam level :)

This proposal has come completely out of no where, so is an obvious attempt by Michael Gove to get himself noticed by the PM as a Minister who appeals to the Tory mentality. Tory backbenchers who are unhappy that there is not enough being done to reintroduce grammar schools are starting to kick up a stink and this would do well to quiet their inane jowl blubbering.

There was a threat that Gove was setting himself up for new head of the Tory - sorry, Conservative party, but there is no way in hell this fuck-wit would be allowed near number 10. . . I did say that about Cameron however. Hmm . . .