Is it only in South Africa that state schools are failing......

Sorry I really cannot accept that this country can be remotely compared to South Africa.

Perhaps my sons went to a pretty average primary school, but it seems to me that their children are learning more and learning better than they did at the same age. And they really enjoy school too.

Anagram agree with much of what you say, we have slipped down World league tables in reading, maths and science. The graduates steaming out of universities in India and China sure as hell haven't spent 3 years studying media, photography or Amy Winehouse/David Beckham studies. How many times is it reported that a head of industry will say that school leavers and university graduates are not fit for purpose? I think Terry Leahy ex boss at Tesco said that school leavers often had to have remedial lessons in basic English and Maths

What percentage of British degrees are in that kind of 'subject'? What percentage of British degrees are 'old-fashioned academic' subjects, or even new academic disciplines? Verifiable numbers, please. Otherwise these statements just seem like grousing.

Oh, I love a good old grouse!

(Sorry!)

I'm not a statistician and cannot quote percentages off the top of my head. However. when I was checking out prospective universities, it did occur to me that some did seem to offer quite useless courses. My son is doing an old fashioned academic subject as are many of his peer group. However, I'd also say that a fair number of his fellow school mates went off to university to study film studies, photography, performing arts etc.

Media and arts are big business areas these days. So maybe it is too easy to dismiss them as useless. Never was entirely convinced that the world needed more philosophers myself - even though it has a long impeccable academic pedigree.
However if you are going to get 43% of school leavers going to uni, they cannot all be doing physics.

And that's another thing......! Why???

Why all of them going to uni? Good question. It think it is because Blair et al were convinced by the argument that a more educated workforce would generate wealth and prosperity. So they just opened the doors and let loose the dogs.
germany have a more sensible model with strong vocational qualifications - like we used to have in the days of polytechnics, HNDs.
It worries me too that some hard science depts have had to close, for lack of take-up e.g Chemistry!
I think the gov ought to subsidise some degree subjects .
My pet hate is degrees in subjects like holistic therapy, homeopathy etc - B. Scs no less. One in the eye for those of us who have studied proper science.

jess cry havoc, and let loose the dogs of war? My dd is returning to her job as a teacher after half term. This is following maternity leave.
She has a degree in chemistry and loves teaching.
Both my children are scientists, I'm a which? Doctor

London is awash with universities that were former polytechnics and often they were better as they were. Since the Blair mantra of 50% of school leavers should go to university, entry standards have been lowered to attract a different demographic. However, for those who like to have data backed up by percentages, the drop out rate is considerable, check out The Times University Guide. I agree with you JessM perhaps we should try to emulate Germany's education system, or better still Finland who I believe have the one of the highest attainments in literacy rates in the West. Frankly that's what matters above all else.

My DD1 has a media studies degree from Sussex Uni. My DH inspects media studies in schools and used to set and mark A levels. It is not always as easy as you think it is to teach or study!!!

DD worked in the NHS , first in the PR /complaints dept at St George's Sth. London then went to NICE when first established and helped to set up the Comms team there. She now works on a consultancy basis for medical charities pulling together medical research and putting into accessible forms for different people:professionals, sponsors, carers, patients etc as well as preparing campaigns etc. She is the main bread winner, her OH is a firefighter with a photography degree...used in his work for investigations etc.

The world had moved on from the 50s and what the current jobs market needs are greater range of skills than the traditional subjects alone offer.

Totally agree, Jess.

Quite agree Banana about emulating Finland. As I understand it; comprehensives for all, solid investment over many years to improve standards for everybody, education a priority, education professionals respected, education not a political football. Suspect it also involves social justice and a far more even distribution of wealth across the population.
Bring it on.