Right observation, wrong prescription

At last some MPs are concerned about the possible dumbing down of degree courses and inflation of awards. A report published by a committee observes that the percentage of first class degrees awarded has risen from 7.7 in 1996-97 to 13.3 in 2008/2009, almost doubling. Similarly the number of "upper seconds" has risen from 53% to 61%. So on leaving University now 74.3 % are awarded one of the two upper grades.

This is consistent with reducing the difficulty of 'A' levels, and seems to imply a reduction in the difficulty of first degrees. It would be good to see at which institutions there are above average awards of these degree classes, and in which subjects (- media studies, sport studies?)

The MPs then draw the wrong conclusion and make the wrong prescription. They suggest an Ofsted-like body which will maintain standards and equivalence across courses and institutions.(Yes, another quango, which we had no need of until NuLabour came along.) Does anyone doubt that in the name of social engineering standards would fall further, the Russell Group would endeavour to become private and British students would feel the need to study abroad to obtain a worthwhile qualification?