Rethink

Universities receive double the amount of funding that Further Education colleges get, despite the fact they have twice the number of students, most of whom are in vocational training. If the country is to meet the requirements of new technology jobs, and skills, should we be investing more money in higher education that provides the skills we will need for the future economic prosperity of the country rather than a course in English Literature? Amol Rajan and guests discuss.GUESTS:Professor Dame Ann Dowling, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Cambridge University, Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering David Goodhart, Author 'Head, Hand, Heart: The struggle for dignity and status in the 21st CenturyJude Kelly, Founder WoW FoundationProfessor Steven Spier, Vice-chancellor, Kingston UniversityPresenter: Amol Rajan Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Kirsty Reid

Should we change the current system of examinations for our 16 and 18 year olds? During the past two years pupils across the UK have missed out on official exams like GCSEs, A Levels and Highers. So are official exams no longer needed? The current system was set up as a conduit for the now, 50 percent of students who go to university. But what about those who don't go on to higher education, are they being catered for? Is there a better way to assess what young people have learnt whilst at school that will help them get what they want out of life in the future? Amol Rajan and guests discuss. GUESTSLord Kenneth Baker, Baker Dearing Educational Trust, UTC'sLaura McInerney, Founder, TeacherTapp Dr. Kevin Stannard, Head of Innovation and Learning, Girls' Day Schools TrustAliyah Irabor-York, Student & Founder , Pupil PowerandKiran Gill, CEO and Founder, The Difference Presenter: Amol Rajan Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Kirsty Reid

Today's Rethink is looking at early years and primary education. With cuts in child services, are primary schools and early years providers becoming ersatz parents as well as educators? Providing everything from meals to setting boundaries in a space where children can be their very best?Amol Rajan and guests discuss whether educators can really make up for what's missing in the home?GUESTSDr. Mary Bousted, Joint General-Secretary, National Education UnionNaomi Eisenstadt, Chair, Northamptonshire Integrated Care System and Honorary Fellow at the University of Oxford Dept of Education Zane Powles, MBE, Asst Deputy Headteacher, Western Primary School, Grimsby Shaddai Tembo, Lecturer, Early Years, University of Highlands and IslandsPresenter: Amol Rajan Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Kirsty Reid

Rethinking Education. In a new five part Rethink series, Amol Rajan and guests discuss how we can re-think the Education system post pandemic. GUESTSKikelomo Agunbiade, Head of Education, IPPR Claire-Marie Cuthbert - Chief Executive, Evolve TrustDavid Perks, Principal and Founder, East London Science SchoolProfessor David Runciman, Professor of Politics and History, Cambridge UniversityPresenter: Amol Rajan Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Kirsty Reid

Professor Jude Browne looks at how we tackle the concept of responsibility post-pandemic

Author Graeber questions the purpose of our work.

Activist Sinxoto reminds us that millions of people live in constant danger.

Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander, Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, suggests a series of specific policies to address low pay.

Musician Tunstall shares that convenience for consumers comes at a huge cost for artists

Cookery writer Dimbleby reflects on how food is a marker of civilisation.