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Scrap GCSEs, says Labour education guru
A former key figure in the New Labour establishment has called for a radical shake-up of the education system that would see A-levels overhauled and GCSEs abolished.
Peter Hyman, who was in Tony Blair's inner circle for almost a decade before he left to become a teacher, says that life on the "frontline" has convinced him the government's strategic direction is wrong.
Just days before hundreds of thousands of pupils pick up their A-level results and a week before GCSE grades are released, Hyman says the nature of the exam system means children are not being taught how to think. Hyman, who was a government speechwriter and strategist, is now a deputy headteacher at a London comprehensive. "This [criticism] is aimed at government," he said. "I blame the system–not schools–for doing what they are told." His plea comes as a poll of company directors today reveals widespread dissatisfaction. One in five describes the quality of education in schools as poor or very poor, with half rating it as average.
The Institute of Directors surveyed 1,316 of its members and found that one-third admitted having employees who lacked literacy, numeracy or low-level IT skills, with 70% of those saying it causes a significant problem for their business. The vast majority want much higher priority placed on literacy, numeracy and skills such as public speaking.