Gove under CBI 
fire over ‘dull’ science lessons

BUSINESS leaders yesterday warned the “sheer scale of prescription” in the new science curriculum will leave pupils little time to do practical experiments, which may turn them off the subject.

The future prosperity of the economy depends on inspiring young people to take up careers in science, as well design and technology, but young people will only develop a serious interest in science if they have the chance to get hands-on experience in the subject, according to the CBI.

It also raised concerns about new proposals for design and technology lessons, suggesting that the plans “lack academic or technical rigour” and are “out of step with the needs of a modern economy”.

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The CBI’s comments came on the day a consultation into the Government’s new draft national curriculum was due to close.

In its submission to the consultation, the group says that businesses share the Government’s view that there is a pressing need to raise the performance of the school’s system, and that mastering English and maths is central to education.

But it adds that it has particular concerns over science and design and technology and suggests that more needs to be done to make sure that these subjects “inspire and excite young people”.

“The future prosperity of our economy depends on inspiring and exciting young people about potential careers in science and technology in far greater numbers than in the past,” the CBI’s submission says.

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It warns: “Encouraging young people to develop a serious interest in science depends above all on their having plenty of opportunity to get hands-on experience of conducting practical experiments.

“Achieving that in turn requires science teachers to have flexibility to innovate in how they develop young people’s scientific understanding. The scale of detailed prescription on programme content for science in particular runs the risk of hindering creative delivery.”

Neil Carberry, the CBI’s director of employment and skills, said: “We’re concerned that the sheer scale of prescription risks hindering teachers’ creativity, flexibility and innovation in the classroom.

Business demand for science, maths and technology skills has long outstripped supply. It risks squeezing out space for practical, hands-on experiments, which are vital to help children develop an interest in science from the start of school.”

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He added: “The proposed design and technology curriculum is out of step with the needs of a modern economy. It lacks academic and technical rigour, as well as clear links to the realities of the workplace.

“The proposals focus on basic craft skills at the expense of high quality learning, which risks reinforcing existing prejudices about applied subjects being second-rate.”

Mr Carberry said that the CBI supported the Government’s move to make maths more demanding, as well as plans for the majority of pupils to carry on maths up to the age of 18.

But he called on the Government to “send out a powerful signal” by extending the maths curriculum beyond GCSE.

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Employers want a much more coherent education system through secondary school and sixth form, which gives young people the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for the world of work,” Mr Carberry said.

“The new national curriculum must reflect this by articulating a route to 18 in key subjects, like maths.

“Businesses want an ambitious, highly rigorous curriculum in terms of what we aim for, but one which doesn’t over-prescribe specifics better left to teachers.

“While many of the proposals the Government makes are valuable – especially on rigour – we don’t think the overall approach passes this test.”

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Ministers set out their new back-to basics curriculum for England’s schools earlier this year.

The new curriculum, due to be introduced next year, contains plans for youngsters to be taught fractions, grammar and how to recite poetry from an early age.

It also outlines proposals for pupils to be taught a chronological history of Britain, to begin to write simple computer programs at age five and to learn the names of continents, oceans, countries and geographic features as well as how to use maps and compasses in geography lessons.

Shadow Schools Minister Kevin Brennan said: “It’s a huge embarrassment to Michael Gove that business leaders are sounding the alarm about his out-of-date curriculum.

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“He needs to listen to these warnings that his plans will damage our economic future.”

The CBI is the latest group to raise concerns about the new curriculum.

Earlier yesterday the National Numeracy charity warned that proposals to overhaul maths in schools risk turning children off the subject by introducing “too much too soon”.

It suggested the new curriculum could rush children through topics, leaving many in danger of falling behind.

The curriculum must be more than an “atomised” list of concepts that pupils must learn, otherwise youngsters will fail to develop confidence and understanding in the subject, the charity said.