05/10/2020
The BBC News Channel reports that only thirteen per cent of white working class boys are going to University, a figure which is far lower than for other social, ethnic and class based groups. It has been described by educationalists as an issue that has been “swept under the carpet” in discussions about access to education and diversity. In an analysis also published on the BBC News Family and Health webpages, reporters and analysts discuss the reasons for the poor performance of this demographic, and the cultural reasons why they are being held back. Working class children are still failing to secure the best examination results under a system that benefits the wealthy and pupils from independent schools. Boys in particular have fallen behind girls in all categories, but white boys have especially fallen behind. Structural problems in economics of many regions left behind by the development of new technologies and industries are felt to be reasons why working class males are not going on to Higher Education.
