British kids cannot escape Maths, English any more

London, July 3 (IANS) The British government is all set to ensure that pupils in the country do not skip learning Mathematics and English, as they will now be forced to study these subjects until they complete their school education.

The latest step follows criticism from bosses that many school-leavers lack the basic skills required in the job market, The Sun reported.

According to British ministers, the ones not sitting A-levels will be given work experience to make them more employable.

Under the reforms, pupils failing to get a grade C or better in General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Maths and English, will continue to study them in some form until they are 19.

GCSE qualification, highly valued by schools, colleges and employers, is assessed mainly on written exams. It can facilitate a number of routes -- work, further study or an apprenticeship. In its grading system, higher tier exams lead to grades A - D, while foundation tier exams lead to grades C-G.

Alison Wolf, who carried out a report on vocational courses for the government, welcomed the move, saying: "These reforms should radically improve the life chances of millions of young people."

A Tory-led committee, however, condemned plans by Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove to set up a single exam board to stop the dumbing down of GCSEs and A-levels.

The Education Select Committee opined that the move would be "disruptive".