Pupils are being rewarded for writing obscenities in their GCSE English examinations even when it has nothing to do with the question.
Write ‘fuck off’ on a GCSE paper and you’ll get 7.5%. Add an exclamation mark and it’ll go up to 11%
One pupil who wrote “f*** off” was given marks for accurate spelling and conveying a meaning successfully.
His paper was marked by Peter Buckroyd, a chief examiner who has instructed fellow examiners to mark in the same way. He told trainee examiners recently to adhere strictly to the mark scheme, to the extent that pupils who wrote only expletives on their papers should be awarded points.
A report this week by think-tank Reform laments the drop in numbers of people taking maths A-level, at an estimated cost to the economy of £9bn.
“The UK remains one of the few advanced nations where it is socially acceptable, fashionable even, to profess an inability to cope with maths,” it says, despite a maths A-level putting on average an extra £10,000 a year on a salary
University students who are caught submitting plagiarised work are very rarely expelled, shows a survey.
A study found only 143 students caught cheating were expelled out of 9,200 cases - despite almost all universities threatening expulsion as a sanction.
An exam board is investigating suggestions that some teachers gave students hints about what questions would be in an A-level biology exam.
I know this myself - I went to Reading College 11 years ago, and it was tough graft.
I went back 2 years ago, and it was a joke - they virtually stood there and read the answers out as the exam was happening! I blogged about it.
All this came to mind when I heard Harriet Harmon whiffling on about how educational standards are far higher than they were 10 years ago.
The BBC reports another nail in the coffin of free speech:
A French court has fined former film star Brigitte Bardot 15,000 euros (£12,000) for inciting racial hatred.
She was prosecuted over a letter published on her website that complained Muslims were “destroying our country by imposing their ways”.
Yesterday, a French court has fined former film star Brigitte Bardot 15,000 euros for inciting racial hatred. She said she was “tired of being led by the nose by this population that is destroying us, destroying our country by imposing its acts“, referring to a mass sheep slaughter/eating tradition by Muslims
You see, when I listen to Pat Condell’s videos, taking apart the whole Muslim culture, 10 times more vigorously than Bardot, I just feel bad for her for living in a country that doesn’t guarantee free speech. Condell was once accused of hate speech last year, but he doesn’t seem to take shit about it. The thing with Condell is that he is able to articulate the opinions of countless people that simply don’t have the strength to say it for themselves because of fear of lawsuits. When I watch Condell’s videos, I don’t just see someone who rips apart religions and cultures, but I see true free speech. I see someone who is not afraid to speak his mind. And same goes for all those religious activists who reply to his videos either with comments or with video responses disagreeing with him! That’s how our civilization and culture can grow, free speech is essential.
So if Condell can (thank God) speak his mind and not get punished by anything and anyone, why Bardot can’t? Is the blame on a restrictive French law, or he is simply luckier that his videos are hosted in USA, or is it the fact that he masquerades his opinions with stand-up comedy helps his cause? Whatever the answer is, people should not be fined for their opinions.
I got a cold call earlier (I am on TPS) and recorded it. Have a listen:
Key phrases in the call include:
This is a public opinion poll. You will receive two free boarding passes for an all inclusive cruise to Nassau Bahamas
In agreement with this confirmation, you are responsible for a $59 per person US Governmental Port and Service Fee paid directly to the cruise line fulfilment centre.
Please note, this is a complementary offer - you have neither won this, nor is it a prize.
The guy says it’s Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, the picture shows Regal Empress Cruise Vacations.
The company appears to be called National Research Group.
During the call, I am told to go to http://www.householdsurvey.com/ - this is a login page and site loaded with Google Ads.
UPDATE: I got a callback a few days after taking the “survey”:
The number they tell me to call back is 001 954 556 5867
Here are the questions asked during the survey (and confirmed in the page I was told to go to)
Note - the spelling of the word “question” is their spelling, not mine!
Qustion 1: Do You want to take the survey?
Answer: Yes
Qustion 2: Are you Male or Female? Press 1 for Male or 2 for Female.
Answer: Male
Qustion 3: What age group category do you fall into? Press 1 for between 18-25, press 2 for ages 26-35, press 3 for ages 36-49 press 5 for all ages 50 and above
Answer: Ages 36-49
Qustion 4: What type of television service do you have? Press 1 for Digital Cable, Press 2 for Satellite, Press 3 for Internet or press 4 for Over Air Antenna
Answer: Satellite
Qustion 5: Are you a Homeowner or do you currently rent? Press 1 if you’re a homeowner, press 2 if you are a Renter. Press 3 for any other type of living condition
Answer: Homeowner
Qustion 6: Have you purchased a New Television in the last 8 months? Press 1 for yes or press 2 for no
Answer: No
Qustion 7: When making purchases at grocery stores, or department stores do you prefer to use your Major Credit Card, Visa Debit card or do you prefer to write a check from your check book?
Answer: If you prefer your Major Credit Card press 1
Qustion 8: This is the 7th question. You’re almost finished. What type of internet service to you have? Press 1 for DSL, press 1 for Cable, press 3 for Dial up, or press 4 if you don’t have a computer.
Answer: DSL
Qustion 9: How often do you dine out? Press 1 for once a week or more. Press 2 for once a month, press 3 for I rarely dine out.
Answer: Once a week or more
Qustion 10: How many times to do Vacation every year? Press 1 for 1 or less. Press 2 for 2 or more.
Answer: 2 or more
Qustion 11: This is the last question. Assuming you own an automobile. Does you vehicle have either an existing manufacture warranty or an extended warranty? Press 1 for Yes. Press 2 for do it doesnt have a warranty. Press 3 for I dont own a vehicle.
Answer: Doesnt have a warranty
The information that I have provided through this process is true and correct. In exchange for my participation in a Consumer Market Research Survey, I will receive a complimentary Bahamas Cruise. I accept this reward and agree to be contacted by a travel coordinator within 72 hours to go over the information regarding this reward
I just got a call from 08006943328 and spoke to a Welsh bloke who actually seemed quite nice. He was just qualifying the leads, and I didn’t have time to be put through. But he’s definitely in the wrong job. He seemed quite earnest and genuine…if only he knew the cack he was selling!
The interesting this is that last week I got a call telling me I had received a free cruise to Nassau, Bahamas (all I had to do was pay taxes, charges and get myself to Florida!). I gave them a false name, and they asked me various questions about whether I drove a car, had a credit card, what age I was etc.
So, I can be pretty certain that UK Debt Information Line / FSDM are buying leads from the company that did the “free” cruise.
UPDATE 26/Aug/2008
Lots more people are getting ripped off lately. This is now the highest read and commented post on this blog. Here are some other places that might be able to advise:
Post your question on MoneySavingExpert’s forums or at the UK Legal group
Be careful with personal details, don’t use your real name.
Try contacting Trading Standards - they might be able to advise more about the credit card.
There is, of course, another idea - if you’re a family, have you thought about selling the story to a paper?
You’d probably get your money back that way AND you’d be warning more people about the same thing too.
It certainly is a very bad thing that you got ripped off like this, and I’m sure the Mail/Express/Sun etc would love this.
Just so as more people are warned about this, whichever route you choose can you please mention the link back to the blog page you found it on?
How one ranting moron can put back race relations to the dark ages -read the article. Good to see the comments though, such as this one…
As a convert from “left” to “right” I see now even more clearly why the left has run its course and self imploded in such a spectacular fashion.
In the absence of any real intellectual scrutiny by YAB comes forth a beautifully written but ultimately ignorant piece of work, something which the left are particularly good at but unfortunately YAB, no one is buying it any more, we have heard the rhetoric before and it doesn’t wash.
She talks of a rise of authoritarianism, unregulated capitalism, racism and cultural protectionism, but these comments fit the new labour “experience” (and by which I presume she means the left) like a glove.
She sees the rise of the right as a threat to her and her ilk, but it has been the left which has destroyed my existence in new labour’s “new Briton” It is the left which has left me disconnected, poor and without hope in my own country
So go on, pack your bags left, goodbye and frankly, good riddance! .
I’d also really like to read a transcript or hear a copy of Welcome to my world
Thursday 15 May 2008 20:00-20:30 (Radio 4 FM)
Singer Pauline Black has often felt uncomfortable in the countryside because of the colour of her skin. She visits one of Britain’s whitest areas, the south west, to meet Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, black farmer and prospective Tory MP. Miles Warde reports.
