CBI warns of falling science uptake
The number of A-level students taking science and foreign languages is falling to worrying levels, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned.
Speaking ahead of the publication of this year’s A-level results on Thursday, CBI chief Sir Digby Jones said teenagers in England and Wales were failing to learn the subjects needed for their future.
The number of people taking A-level Physics has fallen by 55 per cent in the past decade, while Chemistry uptake has declined by a third.
In addition, just one in 25 students now study a modern language at A-level, with very few studying languages such as Mandarin, Russian or Spanish, which are useful in the business world.
“The strength and future success of the UK economy relies on the education system producing students of a high calibre in disciplines like science and languages,” Sir Digby said.
“Britain is the country of Stephenson and Brunel, Watson and Crick, Sir Frank Whittle and Stephen Hawking – but while its heritage is rich with scientific achievement and engineering endeavour, the future is less certain.”
He added: “Science, engineering and technology skills are the essential building blocks of research and development.
“Without innovation and the ability to secure advantage the UK cannot hope to challenge these emerging markets as they invest huge resources into producing top quality graduates.”
Sir Digby’s comments come amid the now annual debate about the quality of A-levels, which, amid predictions of better than ever grades, have seen commentators suggest once again that the exams must be made more difficult.
While ministers have ruled out any changes to the A-level system until 2008, some reports suggest they are seriously considering introducing US-style university admissions tests for pupils to sit in addition to their national exams.
However, chairman of the education select committee Barry Sheerman insisted the A-level was “still a very good qualification”.
“I’m delighted and celebrate that even more people have passed their A Levels and gotten good grades this year,” he told BBC Radio Four’s The Westminster Hour.
As to why pass rates are so high, Mr Sheerman relayed how students are bedded into their course via the AS Level qualification before embarking on the A2 Level, adding also that there was a “much higher standard of teaching” available.
Nonetheless, Mr Sheerman admitted to “some problems” existing in the process of grading, which was why his committee is backing suggestions that students be awarded a numerical mark rather than a grade.
That would give university officials “a much better guide of how that student has performed and are they worthy of a place in the university”.
