What's happened
Rishi Sunak plans to replace A-levels with the Advanced British Standard qualification, merging academic and technical education and making maths and English compulsory until 18.
Why it matters
The proposed reform aims to address the shortcomings of the current post-16 education system in England and provide students with a broader range of skills. It could have significant implications for students, teachers, and the future workforce.
What the papers say
The Times says the reform is overdue and necessary to meet the needs of a changing economy, while The Guardian highlights concerns about funding and teacher shortages. The Independent questions the feasibility of the plans and criticizes the government for not addressing more pressing issues in education. The Mirror raises concerns about the potential disruption to students already affected by the pandemic and other challenges.
How we got here
The current A-level system in England has been criticized for its lack of breadth and relevance to the future job market. The proposed reform aligns with recommendations from the Times Education Commission and aims to create a new qualification that combines academic and technical subjects.
More on these topics
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Rishi Sunak is a British politician serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer since February 2020. He was appointed Chancellor by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, following the resignation of Sajid Javid during a Cabinet reshuffle in 2020.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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The Times is a British daily national newspaper based in London, England. It began in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register, adopting its current name on 1 January 1788.
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Bridget Maeve Phillipson is a British Labour Party politician who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South.