So the big day came and went and I am very pleased to report that all my pupils got on extremely well. All the SG pupils obtained Credit-level marks and the Higher pupils got A's and B's (so far - still waiting to hear from one pupils who is on holiday at the moment). It is clear to see that all the pupils put in a great deal of work and have been rewarded for their efforts. The warmest congratulations are due to them all and I wish them all the best for their future.
Much has been made of the difficulties currently experienced by those who are trying to secure a university place through Clearing. I believe that every young person should be given a chance and the problem with the current system is that applications for university places are based on performance before the critical examination period. Some pupils take a bit longer to understand a subject and I and other tutors have had pupils who have failed a prelim exam and then received an A in the final examinations. Perhaps we ought to adopt the approach favoured in France where generally everyone who applies is admitted to university with the fittest surviving the first year exams and progressing through the rest of the course. This gives all students the opportunity to try university life and the different working patterns it requires. It brings its own problems in terms of housing and resources but the main advantage is that selection is made once pupils/students are more mature than in the UK and that can only give a better indication of their academic ability.
What do you think? How was the recession impacted our views on university education? Tutors' Alliance would love to hear your views!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment