Funding of 160 ‘Mickey Mouse’ courses to be axed by ministers in their war on ‘bad qualifications’
MINISTERS will stop funding a staggering 160 ‘Mickey Mouse courses’ as they declare war “on bad qualifications”, The Sun can today reveal.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said the Government must finally intervene to weed out ‘lower level learning’ that are a waste of time.
He warned that a fifth of 16 year-olds are yo-yoing between different, low quality courses leaving them woefully underprepared for the world of work.
Ministers will ban funding going to the creation of new low level courses from August next year.
It comes after figures revealed that a staggering 12,000 different qualifications already exist – including courses in horse management and barbering.
Mr Hinds: “The truth is in politics, technical education has always been for other people’s children, and the issue with that is no politician therefore thought it was their problem.
“But it is everyone’s problem, because if every person in this country is not reaching their potential then we lose out.
‘WEED OUT BAD QUALIFICATIONS’
“More than one in five 16 year olds are switching between course types, dropping back to lower-level learning, or repeating study at the same level.
This has got to stop.
“I’m calling time on this hands off attitude to Technical Education – we have to get stuck in to make sure qualifications are of a high quality and unashamedly weed out bad qualifications.”
most read in politics
Ministers are reviewing funding for all qualifications which amount to a level 3, 4 or 5 to try and make sure only the best courses are kept.
They will take the axe to the glut of courses that basically teach the same thing – ensuring students only sit the newer, more rigorous exams.
While no new qualifications at Level 3 – the equivalent of A Level – will be given funding as Mr Hinds tries to slash the number of courses on offer.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk