A degree of choice?

The CBI’s report on funding of higher education throws up an array of possibilities as a teaching tool

Many blog readers will already be aware that the Confederation of British Industry has compiled a report which contains unpleasant reading for future university students. The long and short of it is that it supports the view that individuals who receive a tertiary education should share a greater burden of its cost.

There’s a couple of things to say in respect of this with a view to this reports significance in terms of teaching and learning in politics.

First off, if you are looking at UK issues with edexcel then there’s a visible vein to tap into.

Secondly, but less obviously, non UK issues students may revel in the prospect of getting their teeth into this as well. I have been greatly impressed by the spark and interest shown by some of my AS students when we have veered (unintentionally) into discussion of public policy—here examples would be who should have access to health care, immigration running out of control and so forth. The disappointment from a teaching perspective has been that I have had to rein in this enthusiasm since they detract from the main thrust of the AS syllabus.

An obvious outlet would be class debate? Now I need to put my mind to deciding on the motion. Should it be focused on whether undergraduate study is worthwhile, or a question to do with who pays?

Whatever, participation and performance may go a long way to determining who gets to run as the candidate in a forthcoming mock election.

If you have missed the whole CBI report on this, check out the Times and T2.