Though meritocracy of the grammar schools is unquestionable, pupils not gaining the admission (large proportion) felt as failures, rejected and lost parity of esteem. Comprehensive schools were introduced to give equal opportunity to all pupils, i.e. less fortunate, slow learners, children of working class parents. The system also provides special arrangements to encourage bright students to aim high. Mrs. Thatcher’s government then restructured the whole education system to bring in exams for 7 yrs, 11 yrs and 13 yrs old to monitor the progress of all children and league tables to show each schools’ performance. High school children are streamed in ability groups and top groups are given extensive help to stretch their achievements.
The problem of dropped standard is the result of successive governments making exams easier to bump up the exam results' figures . However, new measures to improve exam standards and quality are now in place and recognized as extremely challenging by all concerned. The decision to open more grammar schools could have been postponed to see if these changes are effective. The fund and facilities for the grammar schools should be provided to state schools across the country to benefit all pupils.
Ila Kapadia
By email
