It's that time of year again. If the hay fever has begun, the season of examinations cannot be far behind. And that means that it will soon be time for an urgent doctor's letter to the exam board to plead for special circumstances to be taken into consideration, for more time to submit a dissertation, for permission to resit the exam or repeat the course.
The expansion of the university sector appears to have resulted in the recruitment of vast numbers of students who lack either the motivation or the aptitude for academic work. This means that when exam time comes around, many, pursuing the familiar culture of ‘throwing a sickie’ from the world of work, take refuge in the sick role — or at least seek the respite afforded …