Petrol Cost 1049

Well I only looked at the maths and history papers. A number of the more difficult concepts were left out of the 1950s maths paper, whilst every concept was touched upon in the modern one. Apart from that, the questions were remarkably similar.

In the history, the level of intelligence and understanding required in the modern paper were vastly superior to that required in the 1950s one, where thought was not considered as important as reeling off a load of dates.

Indeed, education was improving rapidly at the time. It still wasn't a patch on modern schools.

Actually, educating 10-20% and throwing the rest into borstal was not the hallmarks of a good education system. Clearly, there are problems with modern comprehensive education, particularly in poorer areas. I should know, I went to a school that has since closed due to low attainment. However, it is also clear that the majority of secondary comprehensive schools are vastly superior to the secondary modern childcare system.

aren't).

Actually, there is much to show that people ARE getting cleverer, due to the increased intellectual stimulation right the way through childhood.

I'm far from left wing. However, I don't believe in pathetic "things aren't what they used to be" laziness. Basically, to borrow from the 1950s we've never had it so good. In the 1950s, they'd never had it so good either. There has been a remarkable and positive effect on life in this country (and most western countries) over that period.

Christian.