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UK college's 'charter of dunces' offers £5K to A-level failing students

By Abdul Nisar
|
Google Oneindia News

London, Oct 18 (ANI): A college in the UK has offered a 'charter of dunces' that awards 5,000 pounds of taxpayer's money to every student who fails their A-Level exams.

The principal of Blackburn College claimed that no one would deliberately fluff their exams to receive the cash, reports The Daily Mail.

Campaigners for higher education standards accused the college of rewarding failure. They said that the offer would destroy the motivation of some borderline students and showed 'gross naivety'.

"This is a preposterous scheme that, in effect, creates a charter for dunces by rewarding failure. Why any college would want to meddle with students' motivation in such a fashion beggars belief. It shows gross naivety," said Nick Seaton of the Campaign for Real Education (CRE), who called on Education Secretary, Michael Gove, to ban the move.

"This is a ludicrous scheme and an unbelievably cavalier use of taxpayers' cash at this difficult time. Crackpot ideas like this divert funds away from where they're needed and send the wrong signal to impressionable students," agreed Fiona McEvoy of the Taxpayers' Alliance.

A student at the college, Stephen Ashworth said, "When it comes to sitting the final exams, students who may struggle to get an E-grade might decide it not worth the effort of revising and take the £5,000 instead."

However, local MP and governor of the college Jack Straw has backed the unprecedented scheme.

"In terms of A-levels, it is an incentive, a good motivator for staff for everybody to work together. We will give 5,000 pounds to students if they fail to achieve pass grades. We have spoken to parents and they were enthusiastic about it," he said.

Straw added, "This illustrates the very high standards that the college aspires to and I am sure that there will be no payments made. My own view is that this is worth a try and I am sure it will be a success." (ANI)

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