Education, education, education

Remember the refrain from Tony Blair? Well how well is our education of children progressing after 13 years of Labour rule?

During the election hype a report was issued by researchers at Sheffield University. Its conclusion is that one in five teenagers is practically unemployable after leaving school, lacking the English and mathematical skills required for everyday life. 22 per cent of 16-19 year olds were functionally innumerate whilst 17 per cent were illiterate.

A fifth of teenagers left school with very basic competence in maths which was 'clearly not enough to deal confidently with many of the mathematical challenges of contemporary life'. On literacy one of the author's of the report stated that the standard of literacy attained was 'less than the functional literacy needed to partake in employment, family life and citizenship'.

The conclusions of the research do not surprise me but two matters concern me:

1. What remedial action can be taken for those who have left school with such appalling lack of attainment?

2. How do we ensure children currently in education do not finish up in the same mess?