More records than HMV

Our education system these days reminds me of the darkest days of Soviet Russia. Remember when there were record grain harvests year after year and queues around the block at any shop merely rumoured to have a loaf?

Logic defies the idea that exams produce record results year after year for 28 consecutive years - as do international league tables where rather than the Champions' League we appear to be heading towards the relegation zone. Does that mean that those who passed their A-levels in 1982 are really Neanderthals?

And before we get the usual hisses and screams to shout down anyone who dares challenge the ever improving exam results, accusing them of belittling those who have worked hard for their exam results, the pupils can only work with what they are taught and take the exams they are set. They are doing their level best and well done to everyone who passed.

But surely the time has come when we look again at what we are teaching children, removing all the PC claptrap, politicisation of subjects and populist propaganda and getting down to education.

We still have children leaving school who are functionally illiterate and innumerate but there is still a rush to cram everyone into university. Watching the poor kids getting their results it seems there is now almost a social stigma not going to university despite the fact it will not suit everyone.

We should celebrate the success of our youngsters but away from the cameras and microphones politicians should be hanging their heads in shame at the way we have let a generation down for political ends.