The Happiest Days of Our Lives

Not a current photo - obviously - but one from a couple of years ago taken at an Australian Pink Floyd concert, during the performance of this song and Another Brick in the Wall. The giant inflatable teacher did actually belong to Pink Floyd back in the day but, like a lot of the stage effects from those days is now owned and used by Aussie Floyd who are probably the best Floyd tribute act around.
The song is from The Wall and is supposedly about Roger Waters’ schooldays. From the lyrics, I’m guessing the title is ironic and that, actually, his schooldays were as miserable as mine.
I touch upon this subject because of the current fiasco over A and O Level results. I suppose basing the grades on teachers assessments now is no better or worse than any other system. Though the cynic in me wonders if it is in the teachers / schools interest to predict high grades for all because it will make them look better in the league tables.
Frankly, it would have saved a lot of hassle if they’d just given everyone straight ‘A’s. No one could complain and if anyone had been over graded, it would all come out in the wash when they sat A Levels, Degree examinations or started work.
And, I’m sorry, but if your “life is ruined forever” because a computer gave you lower grades than promised, then you really need to take a step back and actually look at what is going on in the wider world.
Personally, the day I left school was the happiest of my life, and I have no regrets whatsoever about not going to university. And I can honestly say that for all the jobs I have really enjoyed and succeeded at, the possession of O or A Levels of any grade was never a requirement. I’ll concede that these days, academic qualifications can help you get a foot in the door of the job market but, eventually, the ability to actually do that job is what you will be judged on.