MikeTC posted on 31 January 2012 13:09
Is a qualification in Nail Care equivalent to one or more GCSEs?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16789215
What about Horse, Fish or Hair Services? Yes, no, maybe, whatever. This is the wrong question to ask.
To serve our young people, and all their diverse interests and skills, we need to be asking these three questions:
1. How can we help each individual to discover what they do best?
2. How can we develop this potential?
3. How can we value each child publicly for their unique talents - whether that's Horse Care or Further Maths, Office Services or Classics?
If we no longer value a host of vocational qualifications within the GCSE structure, how then do we value them? What message are we giving our future hair dressers, nail technologists, horse carers when we devalue their passion?
By all means hone GCSE equivalents, but do not cast off what people choose to do to create meaning and to bring wealth into their lives.
(I only mention this because the last hair dresser I trained was on £3,000 a week)