Thanks to the courageous 600 academics who answered an anonymous survey about the quality of Scottish degrees and the integrity of some of the country's higher education institutions.
Like many of you I wasn't surprised to read the Times article and find our higher education system standards are slipping. Some quotes:
'Students who have failed modules or exams being repeatedly presented to boost pass rates.'
'Difficult modules being made "non-compulsory" to cut failures and poor grades.'
'Lecturers being given unofficial minimum pass rates and being told that failing too many was unacceptable.'
'Universities awarding substandard students better degrees on appeal because they fear complaints from push parents.'
A senior lecturer at Glasgow University said the failure margin was just 10%.
"Scotland is in real danger of losing its competitive advantage of being top class in university education of these practices are allowed to continue," said Liz Smith, the education spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives. "There are clearly students in universities who don't want to be there, but there are few other opportunities open to them."
What about work Liz? That's an opportunity open to everyone. Why are Scottish universities putting their reputations at stake by accepting people who do not have the abilities for degree studies?
I expect the answer is money. Back in my youth a university education was beyond the income of many households and young people left school and entered the world of work. Many studied at subsidised night classes to further their education and did well. Dundee Technical College (now Abertay University) had an excellent reputation in vocational skills and students travelled from far and wide to attend. That was in the 60s when there was a lot less money around but institutions like Dundee Tech survived and continually improved their standards.
University degrees are now so 'fashionable' that not to have one is tantamount to being without a mobile phone. Many 'new' universities have ridden on the back of the fact that Scotland had some of the best universities in the world. That is no longer the case. Until universities decide to return to being places of educational excellence and not mediocrity, their standards and reputations will keep falling. The choice is theirs.
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4 comments:
Today, like most normal people I buy my degrees over the internet.
A lot cheaper and ever so quicker than having to go these local techy colleges and mix with the unwashed.
It's people like you - withdrawing your cash from our unis and giving it to some half-cocked internet entepreneur sitting somewhere in a basement.
SR,
My lad was talking about University this weekend (12 y.o.), perhaps he was preparing me for the shock of having to pay for him to attend - hope to be living back home by then though, which will make it more cost effective!
Granted there will be no Coronation Street, Music or any other useless poncy sh*te of degrees - or perhaps degrees of ignorance and idiocy that I'm prepared to pay for.......study or join the Armed Forces and get them to put you through University laddie!
I agree that it's all getting watered down, what does it all mean in the end? I think it's plain lazy and if they ain't got the ability - they should be given further assistance/teaching/guidance and if plain thick - tell them! Not everyone has true academic ability and some people have to work damn hard at it.
Here's hoping he'll pay me back for the investment lol!
Crazy D
Oh no CD don't let him go through the army system. He should attend a civvie university. If he applies for a commission you can get a bit of help with fees but the help doesn't start until they're 18 and a half (it's geared towards the English average entry age).
Let me warn you, I'm still waiting for the return of my investment!
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