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Changing trends in education, reduction in syllabus each year, more students getting higher grades - is it that students are getting smarter or the syllabi are getting easier?
These questions are in the minds of nearly all the teachers who have been teaching for years and have seen the variation in the type of students, their learning ethics and their approach towards education. What I have observed is, that nowadays students get many more higher grades than in previous years and the syllabi used currently have much simplified topics. I have come to the conclusion that over the years, the GCSE syllabus was 'moved' to the A'level syllabus, and that the latter was moved to University level. Over the years, the commercialisation of education has also been observed, with lots of awarding bodies coming into being charging very higher examination fees etc, which has resulted in only elite classes being able to afford quality education.
Even if the class difference due to expensive education is ignored, one cannot shut one's eyes to the fact that these days A'levels education for students is more a University 'requirement' than a thirst for knowledge. There is a mindset developing that good grades will lead to admission to a good university which will eventually lead to a good job. Due to this approach, many students face lots of challenges in University life because this theory doesn't work there. If the concepts are not strong enough, and the students have not actually grasped the topic and the true essence of the subject matter, he/she will face major challenges at University level.
So, it is very important that students study with full enthusiasm and zest, relating the syllabus matter with real life and its application at each stage. Once it is clear, which concept is used where and why, students will not only achieve very high grades in their A'levels, but will also be comfortable in their University life where they will actually be able to understand all the concepts taught in lectures.
