Just watching the Question Time debate between the Labour Deputy Leader candidates.
On being asked a question about education, Alan Johnson started bragging about how the quality of education has improved in the past ten years. To back up this ludicrous claim, he stated that the GCSE pass rate has increased by 25 per cent.
Does this man not understand that improvement in GCSE results does not necessarily imply an increase in the quality of education? It could just mean that the exams have been made much easier to pass.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:04 am
But, didn’t he do well on his support of those in care and who have been in care? And, what about Harriet Harman refusing to answer the legal question about which legislation should be repealed?
June 15th, 2007 at 12:10 am
I agree, Jailhouse, he gave a good answer to that one.
As to Harman, she seems to have adopted this strategy of ’say whatever you need to say to get into office, so long as it doesn’t criticise Gordon Brown in any way.’ Perhaps that question threw her, because she couldn’t think of any legislation that would fit within that narrow strategy. Unlikely though, she is a lawyer, so she must have a clearer idea of legislation than most of the others. I think she just wanted to play safe.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:25 am
Dimbleby perhaps hit the nail on the head asking Harman whether she would just be Brown’s patsy? The barb struck home and hurt her feelings. She used to be a advocate for prisoners rights. I believe she has sold out. And, like one of the audience said, it’s not about power but about representing the electorate. I think the power has gone to her head and she will do anything to stay in power and try to gain more. I think she sees herself as Margaret Thatcher 2.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Bel
It is an utterly fatuous comment by Johnston.
I think it was Keynes that said that ‘inflation of a currency is the surest way to debase it’
Contrast the GCSE pass rate (all must have prizes) with the spectacular plummet in the pass rate of the CFA Exam(Chartered Financial Analyst) now that so many more people take it.
20 years ago it was 75%, it’s now 34%.
Why do so many people take this exam (it is utterly gruelling and involves 3 years of after-work study)?
Because it is a qualification worth having. Unlike GCSEs.