Oxford and Cambridge universities have unleashed a lit controversy after revealing their plans to replace traditional exams with “inclusive” evaluations. The measure, approved by the Office For Students (OFS), has been defended as an effort to close the grades gap between middle class students and those of disadvantaged environments and ethnic minorities. However, the critics of the initiative have described it as a «degradation” of education that could mean a “disaster for the country.”
The proposal is part of the access and participation plans (apps), the annual strategies that universities must present to demonstrate how students of less privileged origin benefit. The University of Oxford has announced that it will implement “a more diverse and inclusive range of evaluations” in order to “Improve the probability « that the students of «low socioeconomic origins«Obtain titles of excellence. For its part, Cambridge has also promised “to improve the results” for British and British British British Bangladesi “, recognizing that their” evaluation practices “could have contributed in the past to inequality in the distribution of degrees.
The reactions against have not been waiting. The cleric of the Church of England, Marcus Walker, said in X that «if the University of Oxford He has decided to self -destructit will deserve to be bitten in international rankings ». The press also joined the reactions. Tom Harwood, presenter of GB News, said that “to say that it is necessary to make exams easier to improve the results of ethnic minorities is the most racist I have read.”
Also from politics severe criticisms have been launched. Richard Holden, deputy of the Conservative Party, described the measure as a reaction “Precipitated and paternalistic” which will only serve to “degrade” university education. “Young people of any origin can excel in a highly rigorous academic environment,” he said. Along the same lines, John Hayes, who was responsible for education, considered that the changes are «deeply insulting for minority students“And warned that” they will undermine the integrity of the evaluation process. “
The controversy has also reached experts from the education sector. Katharine Birbalsingh, known as “the strongest director of the United Kingdom” and directing the Michaela Community School, famous for her strict educational philosophy, denounced the proposal as “Absolutely disgusting racism”. In his opinion, “the idea that blacks with black skin and brown skin cannot succeed unless we facilitate exams is offensive.” Under his leadership, this London College has achieved outstanding results, especially among students of ethnic minorities and disadvantaged environments.
Repeatedly, Michaela students have obtained some of the best results in national exams, surpassing many elite centers. His teaching approach, based on strict discipline and the high level of demand, has been praised by those who believe that benefits low -income students, although their method has also been criticized for being considered too rigid and for rejecting more progressive educational approaches .
For his part, Dr. Tony Sewell, president of the Government Commission on Ethnic Race and Disputes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)he was skeptical about the need to reform traditional exams.
«In 1979, when I started the university, students of poor and minority origin should have considered us privileged by the support received. They offered us generous scholarships and free registrationbut We also face rigorous exams. We did not need to reduce the demand, but rather to encourage us to expand our knowledge ». Sewell, born in London in a family of working -class Jamaican immigrants, has defended the merit and effort as keys to academic success throughout his career, and has rejected the idea that structural racism is the main barrier for the progress of ethnic minorities.
The expert also stressed that changes in evaluation should be addressed from an academic, non -ideological perspective. “If Oxford and Cambridge really want to do their fairer institutions, they could offer social induction programs without falling into condescension.”
Gap in academic performance
The OFS statistics confirm that there is a gap in university academic performance in the United Kingdom. On average, there is a difference from 22% in the number of black and black students That they manage to obtain at least 2: 1, one of the highest grades in the British system, a common requirement to access postgraduate programs and well -paid jobs and that many companies and universities consider as the minimum standard of excellence. In addition, students of families with greater resources have 11% more likely to achieve good notes compared to those of disadvantaged environments. However, the exact reason Behind these differences It is not completely identifiedwhich keeps the debate on whether the solution is to change the evaluation methods or improve the preparation of students from earlier stages.
Universities have justified the changes in the evaluation arguing that the exams as they are raised can now assume “Threats to self -esteem”according to Cambridge investigations. However, for custom opponents, rigorous evaluation remains a fundamental pillar of the academic prestige of British institutions.
On the other hand, the King’s College has also announced plans to “diversify the evaluation” to make it “more just”, although he has assured that he will maintain some traditional exams.
Beyond the ideological debate, the substantive issue lies in how to balance educational equity with academic excellence without compromising the quality of teaching. The most prestigious British universities have based their REVENUTE IN A DEMANDING EVALUATION SYSTEM That, although it can represent a challenge for some students, it has been a quality reference in higher education, but the defenders of inclusiveness insist that higher education must adapt to the needs of their students.
#Oxford #Cambridge #replace #traditional #exams #benefit #minorities
