Sir, A while ago I complimented some eminent Japanese academics on the quality of their school system, which produces one of the highest levels of literacy and numeracy in the world. They replied that the students that arrived at their university might be numerate and literate, but they were incapable of independent thought.
The Japanese Ministry of Trade and Industry reported some years ago that 55 per cent of the world’s inventions over the previous century had come from British ideas, an amazing performance considering our proportion of the world’s population. Foreigners often remark that the British are not afraid of independent thought or eccentricity and these freedoms, not always popular with authority, add to our track record.
In developing the way our children are brought up and educated, we must remember that our economic welfare depends on more aspects of child development and education than simply passing school tests.
JONATHAN BROWN
Milford on Sea, Hants