I educate my children at home, and have heard several parents who do likewise say that qualifications mean nothing to employers and aren't worth the paper they are printed on (Why IT exams are a waste of time, Editor's diary, editor.computing.co.uk).

The majority of home-educated children do not sit any GCSEs or gain any qualifications at all. Instead, they learn life skills and how to succeed as an adult.

Despite the howls of anguish from those who believe in the state school system and the importance of GCSEs, most home-educated children succeed in the job market and few end up unemployed.

The state education system teaches a load of theoretical rubbish that is of no use as an adult. University is just a con trick for the naive of society unless you are studying medicine or law.

Home education and self-education are the way forwards. Institutionalised education and exams are relics of the 20th century.

JC, submitted on the web