Industry News
Parents' academic 'snobbery'
Posted on 14th September 2007
Parents have been accused of educational "snobbery" following a survey on attitudes to vocational education.
Educational foundation Edge questioned 5,000 parents and found 68 per cent supported compulsory vocational education one schools and only six per cent opposed the idea.
However, Edge claims parental endorsement "dries up" when their children are involved and found 17 per cent of parents said they would be disappointed if their own child opted for a practical career.
Garry Hawkes, chairman of Edge, said: "The research clearly shows that there are double standards at play among some parents whereby they are supportive of more practical learning, but not if this results in their child pursing a vocational qualification."
Edge is a ten-year campaign which seeks to change public opinion of vocational learning and to make it more widely available.
The government is seeking to increase the number of young people in apprenticeships by 75 per cent in 2007 to 2008 compared to five years ago.
Children, Schools and Families secretary Ed Balls recently described the new vocational diplomas for 14 to 18-year-olds, scheduled to be introduced in September 2008, as "key" to education reform and claimed they offer greater choice.