Thursday 5 June 2008
The University Drop-Out Rate
This whole debate is framed in two preposterous, and mutually contradictory, terms. The first is that education only ever means vocational training, and that to be undertaken only before the critical faculties are fully formed. And the second is that the whole point of universities is the "university experience" of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll.
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The University drop out rate needs to be studied in far greater detail. It is clear that those on 'so called' dgerees such as Media Studies at the renamed but generally not revamped intelectually polytechnics with an average intake score of 3 Ds are incapable of producing even the most rudimentary of University assignment. - when infact they have to do so and are not just given open book examinations. This failing was thankfully finally admitted in three of yesterday's papers as was the fact that such students are coming to accept that they are not even qualified for shelf stacking. Perhaps it is now time for a political party leader, such as david lindsay, to show courage and comment that the 50% intake target is ridiculous. he would certainly get my vote.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, the drop out rate as a result of student poverty in the more elite University gets very little press; as does the academic bullying of postgraduate students that is rife within Universities particuarly within northern england.
Perhaps as interesting is the acknowledged fact that our 'leading' Universities have been found to be inflating grades of 2:1s and 1sts to bolster their own league positions. It is gratifying to note that only cambridge (of those cited) has actually awarded a smaller proportion of 1sts and 2:1s in the last few yeasr. Well at least one collegiate University is keeping up standards.