I watched a discussion on education a couple of weeks ago, and according to the league tables, Britain, something like the sixth richest nation in the world, is at number twenty-six on the list for mathematics. (I think I have that right). Whilst parents (and society) must bear a good deal of responsibility for the lack of discipline our children are instilled with, the problems really began when government started to interfere with education (and the same applies to the National Health Service). When ministers acknowledge that their ideas aren't better than those of highly qualified educators things might change - but I wouldn't hold my breath because dumbing down within the education system has become the norm, not only for the student, but for the teacher too. What would once have been an unacceptable standard for a teaching qualification has now become acceptable, and the rot has set in.