Now that What I call Qatar 52: Education Part 1

Dear All,

I been reading quite a lot of stuff regarding the education establishment in the UK, and have been overwhelmed by the state that the education system is in. Its absolutetly shocking and its going to get a whole lot worse, here is extract from a article I read by Mike Baker:
Picture the scene: the crumpets are toasting gently over the fire, the college butler is serving tea from the silver tray, bicycle clips and gowns have been removed, and the admissions tutors are settled in their deep leather armchairs, choosing next year's student intake.

As they sift through the piles of Ucas admissions forms, there is suddenly a triumphant shout from behind one tottering tower of papers. A don emerges, holding aloft an application form.

"Eureka! I've found one. Yes, a student from a state school, whose parents both left school at 16 and are now unemployed. And he is from an ethnic minority.

"What's more he was even placed in care for a few years while his parents were treated for drug addiction."

"Yes, but what were his A-level grades?" asks one of his colleagues, peering suspiciously over his bifocals.

"One E," comes the response.

"Oh well, let's offer him a place and a bursary, and do it quickly before the other universities grab him. Think what it'll do for our widening participation benchmarks."

Well basically the reason for the above situation possibly arrising is

"In future universities will be given this information - alongside details of parental occupation, ethnic background and whether or not applicants have been in care - ahead of the admissions process not, as now, after it is completed."

Now some of you deem me as a middle class, and a bit of a snob however i dont think its snobbish to think that if this plans goes ahead then its ridiculous, i mean im all for people from lower income/social standings attaining higher education but why should Children, who just like their less fortunate coutnerparts have no choice of where their family come from, prejudice is both ways.

Now I would never normally agree with one of the worst papers in England however when the Daily Telegraph's editorial commented ominously about "the creation of quotas" and of the middle-classes becoming the new "whipping boys". I had to concur.
Here is a example given in the article Mike Baker

"The problem for universities today is that most of them do not interview candidates. They see only exam grades, a head teacher's report, and a personal statement.

That is not a very rounded picture. Nor is it a very level playing field: some schools and some parents provide more help and coaching with personal statements than others. So, on this basis, perhaps some extra information will help create a more rounded picture of the applicant.

And if two candidates emerge with identical grades and similarly effusive head teachers' recommendations, how is the poor admissions tutor to decide between them?

Suppose candidate A is from an inner city "sink" school and is the child of recently arrived, poorly educated immigrants who speak no English at home.

And suppose candidate B came from a high-performing school and has parents who are graduates.

Which would you say had probably (and hold on to that "probably") showed the greater determination and drive to get to the grades they achieved?

More often than not it would, probably, be applicant A.

However, things may not be all that they seem on paper.

The middle-class student may have been ill, may have a special educational need, or may have endured a broken and unsupportive home.

They may in fact have had to show the greater drive and resilience."

I think what he is trying to say is, we actually require more information not less, and this example does illustrate that with the correct information then universitys can make more informed choices. However knowin if someones parents went to university has in my opinion no effect on weather the child is academically capable to go to university. I agree it might make them better prepared but inviersity is a differing experience for all, i know people whos family never went to unversity and yet they settled in and did well, whilst others whom had generations of families going to university, dislike it and just dont fit in. This shows in my opinion, being sons/daughters of graduates does not provide any indication of whether someone should get into a university or not.

Well thats my one cent, and tommorrow will be my other cent...

Take care

Asif