‘Every child wins prize’ culture devalues skills

IN support of Chris Eastaughffe’s letter ( TB, 26/6).

As a now retired “indentured” tradesman/business operator/ entrepreneur I have witnessed as many others of the “old school” have, the ever-continuing downward spiral of skills, social values and respect across the board of today’s society.

Hard to believe now but not everyone who embarked on an apprenticeship passed.

You were judged on your theory and practical skills and not by an open book (answers provided) style exam or online application for various qualifications that nobody could fail, the onus being on the government fee attached.

One has only to attend a school awards night now to see that “every child wins a prize” mentality is rife.

The end result is an education system churning out kids with no respect, a lack of rudimentary skills and an overinflated sense of self-entitlement.

This is further compounded at university level where the emphasis is as much focused on ideological indoctrination as on learning.

Consider the financial and administrative strife these institutions now face due to a hierarchy whose overinflated opinions of themselves is only surpassed by their overinflated salaries. This environment is where our politicians, public servants, one-eyed scientists, agitators and social commentators come from these days.

The ABC, for example, only ever seeks the opinions of university scholars on any and every subject under discussion. NOEL DOHERTY,

Condon.