Russell Kane
(Picture: ITV)Russell Kane has been praised on social media after he celebrated apprenticeships and discussed inequalities in the education system on A Level results day.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the comedian said leaders need to explain why apprenticeships are a good option and recognise that being saddled with debt at university is not a viable option for some people.
He said:
'We have to be careful with the language we're using.'@russell_kane calls for leaders of trade associations to come forward to explain why apprentices are a good option.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) August 10, 2021
He also raises the way student loans are spoken about and the impact it has on students. pic.twitter.com/6H7F4k6EiX
“Trades are fantastic so let’s get carpenters, plumbers and leaders of those associations showing us why apprenticeships are fantastic,” he said.
He added that some people excel by learning things at short notice, then sitting an exam, while others prefer to be assessed regularly throughout their schooling. “People learn in different ways,” he said.
He said education needs to be rethought from primary school level and that the government needs to recognise an “attainment drop during the holidays” in which students from more privileged backgrounds benefit from private tuition and cultural excursions and others do not.
“It’s not fair to assess people at 18 who have got different resources,” he said.
'Trying to fix the problem at 18 is too late.'
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) August 10, 2021
Asked about what Gavin Williamson can do, @russell_kane says it should start from primary school.
He also raises the different levels of attainment during the holidays and whether it can be looked at with youth club provisions. pic.twitter.com/IoC6psyEw7
Meanwhile, he criticised those who do not understand the impact student loans have.
He said: “What annoys me when you hear this debate, there’s this massive debt and the first thing someone says is ‘yes but it’s a loan, you don’t pay it back until you’re earning a certain amount’.
“You have to put yourself in the position and the shoes of someone like me who’s grown up to be terrified of any debt, regardless of how it’s repaid.
“There’s an inbuilt cultural fear. That’s why you are seeing the social mobility gap widening because a lot of people are brought up to be scared of debt.”
Reacting to his message, people on social media thought he had got it absolutely spot on:
@russell_kane absolutely spot on about the "snobs" telling the working class to get an apprenticeship rather than go to uni #gmb can you replace #GavinWilliamson 🙏👍
— Ste (@Spionste) August 10, 2021
Russell Kane making more sense than the experts on A Levels, trades and education on #GMB (and I love the look of his auntie Christine!) #staycation #alevelresults2021 https://t.co/K1oowuQc5J
— Dr Pam Spurr Psychologist SelfHelp Expert & Artist (@DrPamSpurr) August 10, 2021
Russell Kane Is absolutely brilliant. That’s it. #gmb
— Clare (@cumbersketching) August 10, 2021
Was ripping my hair out at debate on universities on GMB.
— Ellie Gellard (@BevaniteEllie) August 10, 2021
Undermining a “dance degree” as something laughable not a great look.
Then Russell Kane came on and spoke a *lot* of sense about physical and psychological barriers facing working class kids.
We have work to do.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I've been saying a lot of this for years. I hate when people trash universities when it offers so much valuable experience and opportunity. It's definitely worth the money. Thanks, @russell_kane - I want my kids and all their peers to hear you talk about your experience! https://t.co/oh5fvZLrpD
— Jessie Marvell (@jaysica) August 10, 2021
Russell Kane just smashed the education debate. We done! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#GMB @GMB
— B. (@B__Rani) August 10, 2021
I am loving @russell_kane on GMB. I failed my A-levels & didn't think I'd ever go to uni, so I did 2 apprenticeships. Then a FdA in education at uni. I was then able to use that degree to go to uni for my love, ancient history and history. I've just proudly graduated with a 2:1
— Courtney Park (@itscourtneypark) August 10, 2021
Russell Kane completely correct on University and the #torybrexit class divide pic.twitter.com/QcDWDglnyB
— Simon Gosden. Esq. #fbpe 3.5% 🕷🇪🇺🇬🇧🏴☠️🦠💙 (@g_gosden) August 10, 2021
Today, thousands of students are receiving their results. Nearly 45 per cent of A-level entries across the UK have been awarded top grades in A-level results, a record-breaking return for students after disruption during the pandemic.
More than 200,000 students are also getting vocational BTec results.
And for those who didn’t get the grades they wanted? Thank goodness for Jeremy Clarkson who can assuage their concerns.
