A business leader has said it is "a national disgrace" that half of young people leave England's schools without at least five good GCSEs.
The system was in the "last chance saloon" after "endless" government initiatives, said David Frost of the British Chambers of Commerce.
If performance still failed to improve, academic selection should be brought back, he told its annual conference.
The government said there had been "major improvements" in recent years.
In 2006, 43.8% of youngsters obtained the Department for Education and Skills attainment benchmark of the equivalent of five good GCSEs including English and maths.
Mr Frost said: "It is nothing short of a national disgrace. This is in the 21st century, not Victorian Britain."
- Try STAEDTLER’s Handwriting Pen for yourself
- UniTracker has revolutionised the Personal Stat...
- Digital Signage facilitates modern communicatio...
- Join DK’s Virtual Roman Army
- May the learning never stop!
- Secure ICT desks for schools that readily accom...
- Sure Start: lifeline or waste of money?
- Mind Mapping and Me
- Teachers2Parents Text Messaging system
- In an uncertain economic climate, the UK educat...
How do you usually research additional lesson information?
- 20 - 22 November, 2008
D+T with ICT Education Show - Birmingham, UK - 14 - 17 January, 2009
BETT 2009 - UK
