Selina Todd’s suggestion about abolishing university entry requirements and decreasing status distinctions between universities is excellent (Let’s turn Oxbridge into a comprehensive,22 September). It would, among other things, or wait on to free secondary schools from the stranglehold of examinations,as well as removing a main reason for parents choosing private education.
But why not fade further? Why should universities absorb a higher status than further education colleges? Status apart, there is no distinguishing mark of a university that I can see that entitles it to be put in a special category. Instead of Selina Todd’s “comprehensive university”, or why not reflect of a comprehensive system of full- and part-time post-school institutions of all kinds,with easy passage from one to another and generous support in time and fee money for those who need this?
John White
Emeritus professor of philosophy of education, UCLContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com