Literacy news
School system 'shameful', says CBI boss
31 Dec 2009
The education system is failing pupils from poorer homes and producing exam results which "we ought to be ashamed of", according to the head of the most powerful group representing business leaders.
In an interview with the Guardian, Richard Lambert, director-general of the CBI, says that money is being wasted in English schools, which have among the most generous government funding in the world but exam results that are beginning to trail behind competitor countries.
The problems are rooted in a "culture of low aspiration" that predates the current government, but Labour has spent too much time "messing around" with the education system and its high spending strategy has been inefficient, he claims.
In response, Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: “We’re disappointed by these comments and respectfully disagree with them. The taxpayer can be reassured that they are getting value for money with English schools now performing very well compared to schools in other developed countries in the all important maths and sciences.
“Of course Richard Lambert is entitled to his opinion but I know from business leaders I talk to all the time that most are very happy with the education system.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Richard Lambert and other business leaders on our ‘Education and Employers Taskforce’ of which he is a member to look at ways we can further improve the education system to better meet the needs of a constantly changing jobs market.”
For the full article see here http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/dec/31/school-system-shameful-cbi-boss
