英国国家概况之政党与选举

Unit Four: Education

British education aims to develop the abilities of individuals for their own benefit and that of society as a whole. The common belief is that proper education is indispensable to qualified citizens. British educational system is guaranteed by laws. Parents are required by the law to ensure that their children receive efficient full-time education between the ages of 5 and 16. Going or not going to school has become a matter of the law. It is no longer an individual’s free choice.

Administration of publicly-provided schools is decentralized. Responsibilities are divided between the central government, local education authorities, and various voluntary organizations. Schools supported from public funds are of two main kinds in England: county schools and voluntary schools. County schools are financed and maintained by local governments. Voluntary schools, mostly established by religious denominations, are managed by voluntary organizations with the financial help of local governments. The central government makes general education policies and provides financial support for universities, but it does not directly control universities. Local authorities are mainly responsible for providing primary and secondary education for school-agers. Tuition fees are forbidden and pupils get their stationery free of charge.

Higher education in Britain is not compulsory and students have to pay their tuition and fees. There are nearly 50 universities in Britain with about 300,000 full-time students, about one-sixth of whom are postgraduates. The ratio of staff to students is about one to nine, a favorable number for higher education. Among all university teachers, 1/6 is professors, and others are entitled Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, or Readers.

English universities are quite different in the syllabuses, and in order to achieve uniformity of standards of all the universities, a method is being accepted to employ outside examiners for all university examinations. Degree titles are based on courses and credits.

Oxford and Cambridge are two of the oldest and most famous universities in Britain. Oxford, founded in the 12thcentury, is located in a small town named Oxford, about 85 km northwest of London. Cambridge came into being in the early 13th century when some Oxford scholars moved into the town of Cambridge, situated in southeast central England and on the river Cam. The nominal head of the university is called Chancellor while the practical work is done by the Vice- Chancellor for a two-year term. The two universities are well known for their tutorial system given by the Fellows selected from among postgraduates. Fellows can help students by keeping them informed of the newest development in their field.

It is said that Cambridge has been prominent in mathematics and sciences since the days of Newton. A number of Cambridge mathematicians and scientists have won Noble prizes. But Oxford has produced numerous political leaders and Cabinet members. Every Prime Minister from 1945 to 1974 was once a student at Oxford, turning the university into the so-called “cradle for Prime Ministers”.

The two universities are famous for their architecture, gardens, and lawns in addition to their large libraries and modern labs. To maintain this two