Is Tesco’s Sir Terry right on school standards?
Wednesday 14th October 2009, 9:46AM BST.
Employers are left to bear the brunt of “woefully low” standards in schools, Tesco’s chief executive said.
Speaking to a meeting of members of the grocery industry, Sir Terry Leahy said money pumped into the education system had produced no improvement.
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The businessman was previously on the Government’s National Council for Educational Excellence, but left earlier this year.
He told the IGD Convention yesterday: “One area that Tesco is particularly concerned about is education.
“As the largest private employer in the country, we depend on high standards in our schools. As today’s schoolchildren are tomorrow’s team, they will be the ones we need to help build our business.
“Sadly, despite all the money that has been spent, standards are still woefully low in too many schools. Employers like us, and I suspect many of you, are often left to pick up the pieces.”
He said the system was crippled by bureaucracy.
At the same event Asda’s chief operating officer Andy Clarke also laid into the school system, and the chain’s own customers.
He said: “No-one can deny that Britain has spawned a generation of young people who struggle to read, write or do simple maths. That’s why we’re finding packs of nappies discarded in the booze aisle as the last few pounds are spent on alcohol rather than childcare.”
The Government insisted that the quality of education in state schools was high.
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Of course he’s right. One only needs to look at internet forums to see the falling standards of basic English in this country. The younger generation are unable to spell, punctuate or understand grammar. This might seem like a huge generalisation but anyone who rejects these comments is nothing more than an apologist for the wasted “Education! Education! Education!” of our children over the last 12 years.
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Yet those that did pass their exams, and do have the necessary qualifications still get ignored and not offered employment. I think perhaps these big stores should stop blaming others for their own lack of interest in offering jobs to those that need them.
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Now this is interesting.
Tesco is said to be the UK’s largest employer, employing approximately 280,000 people.
Now what intrigues me is this:
Out of the 280,000, how many of those are shelf stackers, checkout operators, and general support staff etc?
If – as I suspect – this represents by far the largest majority of the 280,000, then:
IF the educational quality of those people applying for these, (lets face it, lower skilled) jobs IS poor – then we ARE in trouble.
Problem is – I really can’t see this to be true!
Are we REALLY saying that Tesco of all people can’t find decent school leavers to fill lower skilled jobs?
(Or …. is it That Tesco only wants higher level achievers anyway even for the most lowly skilled positions – and gets frustrated when applicants aren’t falling over themselves to apply? – … AHH …. now THERE’S a thought!
IF, on the other hand we are saying that the minority of the 280,000 applicants for management and other higher skilled positions have poor educational standards – THEN:
What we are saying is that higher level academic achievment such as Universtiy degree level is poor!
Which one is it? -or is it both?
Sir Terry Leahy really needs to be more specific!
I CANNOT accept that “Tesco and others have to pick up the pieces” ..
I can’t believe an employer the size of Tesco has diffiuclty finding adequate quality of applicants for it’s staffing requirements.
IF… on the other hand Sir Terry had said something like:
“The fallout rate of applicants for our job vacanacies at “various skill levels” is x, y, and z percent etc for each grade of postion – THEN I could understand it !
AND that would mean that larger employers such as Tesco who can get the “cream of the crop” THEN go on to leave smaller employers “to pick up the pieces”
And that I suspect is nearer the truth.
YES educational standards may well be “low(er)” – but I don’t buy for one instant that Tesco of all people pick up ANY pieces as a result.
Come on Sir Terry – Tell the truth !
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All very odd , however firms want good people for low pay it is that simple. As for low skilled etc well we need them and should appreciate them .After all, if they will not do it who will. Result we would be up to our eyes in filth and rubbish,empty shelves, etc etc etc it would be a nightmare.
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