gutek chapter 11

Learning about the educational system and history of the UK is especially important because of the influence the UK has had on the formation of so many nations. We have already studied the US, Nigeria, Jamaica and India, all of which were originally colonized and governed by the British. Thus, many of the pillars of the British system have remained. One of the educational problems the British have experienced is the lack of vocational education due to the emphasis on the study of classics and general intellect rather than specific training. Recently, school curriculum has been nationalized, although administration of the schools remains local with national funding and supervision. As a constitutional monarchy that was once the seat of a great empire, Britain retains a strong sense of tradition and social stratification. However, the monarch is now merely a figurehead and the real power lies with the House of Commons and the Prime minister, who along with the House of Lords form the bicameral parliamentary system. As the UK has transformed from the seat of an empire to a modern european national, there has been a gradual trend toward reform that has extended oppurtunites for education and economic success to a larger part of the population. The economy now is firmly based on financial services rather than industry. I found this chapter particularly interesting, not only because the UK relates to our own educational context as Americans, but because of how the UK has adapted from a major colonial power to a succesful modern european nation.