Renowned author and journalist Peter Hitchens asserts that the consequences of abolishing the grammar school system have been nothing short of catastrophic. In a conversation on the Planet Normal podcast with columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson, Peter emphasizes that the demise of grammar schools has had a detrimental impact on every aspect of British life. He firmly states, “The loss is gigantic.” He further adds, “Hundreds of thousands of young men and women… will never, ever, ever actually exercise themselves because they were thrown into terrible, chaotic schools where they weren’t allowed to learn.”
Peter highlights that the consequences of this untapped potential are evident in various fields, ranging from the sciences to the arts, and even in the leadership of the country. The author argues that the transition to comprehensive schools led to a decline in education standards.
Moreover, Peter warns that the failure to provide a quality education has resulted in a shortage of critical thinkers, a gap that became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. He states, “We simply do not have an educated elite anymore, of people capable of examining propaganda, and saying this is propaganda rather than truth.” Peter firmly believes that this became evident during the pandemic when there was a lack of individuals or a serious force in the country capable of challenging what he perceives as mass hysteria.
Peter contends that the shift towards comprehensive schools was driven by “idealism” and “utopianism,” rather than a genuine commitment to improving education standards. He describes it as a grandiose plan to create a perfect world that ultimately fell short.
However, despite the dire consequences, those responsible for eliminating grammar schools in favor of the comprehensive system seem reluctant to acknowledge their mistake. Peter observes, “They haven’t got the nerve or the courage to admit they made a mistake.”
Listen to Planet Normal, a weekly Telegraph podcast featuring news and views from beyond the bubble, using the audio player above or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast app.
Telegraph subscribers can listen to the uncut interview with Peter Hitchens using the audio player below.
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