Sir, Your leading article suggesting that the government is complacent about defence policy is correct (“Thin Red Line”, Jun 28). But this extends to its dysfunctional procurement system too. The new armoured vehicle, Ajax, is not only late and over budget but has been plagued by development problems, and by most accounts,is signally ill suited to the needs of modern mechanised infantry. Yet the British Army has been lumbered with this white elephant for a generation. The truth is that the failings in successive governments’ defence policies mean that the army no longer has the capacity to deploy a full strength, fully supported mechanised division abroad. How, exactly, does this square with our obligations as a Nato member to defend other members if they are attacked? In short, we are failing to protect both our own, and our allies’, interests.
Patrick Watson
Former captain in the Black Watch, London SW8
PATRICK WATSONS PUBLISHED LETTERS
THE IB AND THE EXAMS SYSTEM
EXAM SYSTEM
Letter; Published ;The Times;6 October 2010
A good GCSE or equivalent in maths and sciences is more than enough to see most people through their professional lives
Sir, Anthony Seldon is largely correct in his analysis of what has gone wrong with the exam system (“A levels are just instruction, not education”, Opinion, Sept 29). But as to his remedy — introducing the International Baccalaureate — I beg to differ. It cannot be right to oblige pupils to study maths and sciences post-16. This would alienate many pupils and even persuade some to opt out of school altogether.
We already have one of the highest drop-out rates at 16 in Europe. A good GCSE or equivalent in maths and sciences is more than enough to see most people through their professional lives. The IB is also acknowledged to be more demanding, requiring self-discipline and more teaching time, meaning that it is more expensive to deliver. On cost grounds, alone, is it likely that the IB will be seen as a viable option for state schools?
The IB has its place in the qualifications spectrum. The key, though, is to have a range of robust qualifications that cater for an individual pupil’s needs.
Patrick Watson
London SW8
Postscript Note; Seldon, an eloquent supporter of the IB-both the Middle Years Programme and the Post 16 Diploma- having introduced them at Wellington College, importantly, still offers pupils the choice of GCSE and the AS/A2 level.
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