Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: February 22, 2003
URL: http://hindustantimes.com/news/181_184131,0005.htm
Asian students in Britain, particularly
those with Indian roots, are pulling ahead of Whites in exam performance,
latest official figures indicated on Friday.
For the first time, Asian children
are set to move to the top of the class this year after drawing level in
GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education, equivalent of SSC in
India), results in 2002, a survey by the Department for Education and Skills
said.
The pupils notched up the same GCSE
success rate, with 52 per cent gaining five passes at Grades A-star to
C. They are also improving at a faster rate.
The new figures also show how pupils
from Indian families in particular, are outshining all other ethnic groups,
with 60 per cent gaining five good GCSEs. Their fine performance at GCSE
will pave the way for success at A- level and university.
Eight per cent of Indian pupils
attended independent schools, compared to just five per cent of whites,
the survey showed.
Meanwhile, pupils from Pakistani
and Bangladeshi homes improved by 11 to 12 percentage points respectively
last year compared to just two points for white children.
Their results at GCSE were 40 per
cent and 41 per cent respectively, but they were still considerably less
likely than white and Indian pupils to gain five good passes, according
to the 11th annual Youth Cohort Study.
Education experts believe traditional
family values and hard work are responsible for the outstanding school
performance of young Asians.
