Parents 'place value on skills'19 August 2009 at 00:28 (541 views since that time) |
The majority of parents (90%) believe schools should teach vocational and practical courses, as well as academic subjects, a survey suggests. The poll of 3,000 parents also found over three quarters (78%) thought British schools did not equip young people adequately for the world of work. The survey, by Skillfast UK, found 83% of parents thought teachers should have more contact with the business world. Skillfast UK said vocational subjects should be more highly valued.
The organisation, which represents the fashion and textiles sector, is alarmed by proposals by the Conservative party that it would give schools more league table points for teaching "hard" academic subjects, such as maths and physics. It fears this will discourage schools from teaching vocational subjects, to the detriment of industry and young people.
Linda Florance, chief executive of Skillfast-UK, said: "Education should be challenging - but academic subjects are not the only valid challenge. "As our poll clearly shows, parents are in favour of schools teaching vocational subjects as a way of preparing young people for life after school, and we hear the same message from the business community. "As an economy, we need entrepreneurs and skilled practitioners, as well as academics. "Our education system should value both."
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