The Dangers of Inflation

On Thursday the Bank of England raised the interest rates to 5.25%, as part of their anti inflationary measures.

If only the Bank of England was in charge of Nanny's educashun system, then we might see similar efforts to control the widespread "grade inflation" that has become endemic.

Since Labour (a contradiction in terms don't you think?) came to power in 1997, the number of A grades at A level and top honours degrees has risen by over 50%.

Cynics argue that these extraordinary figures are not down to rising standards, but in fact due to dumbing down of exams.

The Daily Mail claims that at GCSE, top grade passes have risen from 14% in Labour's first year of office to over 19% in 2006.

However, give a teenager an exam in a core subject such as English or maths, and see the rates tumble. Fewer than half of teenagers are achieving decent grades in the two subjects.

First class honours degrees have also inflated by 55%.

Alan Smithers, professor of education at Buckingham University, said:

"The figures hammer home that degree classifications

as currently applied no longer distinguish sufficiently.

Employers now tend to do it on the basis

of which university a graduate attended, which,

in effect, is using A-levels to distinguish between students.

This does not leave room for students or universities to develop."

Whilst having a first class degree in a soft subject may be satisfying to the ego, it does not help the hapless recipient earn a living.

However, have no fear, Nanny has a cunning plan to reduce the number of out of work school leavers; she is raising the school leaving age to 18.

Brilliant!