ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to raise some questions about the need for benchmarks and templates. The dividing line between advice and consent, between flexibility and tyranny, between facilitation and control, is a narrow one that is in grave danger of being crossed particularly if the threat of withholding funding is used as an instrument to enforce conformity. The present Labour Government's Department for Education and Employment eagerly endorsed the Dearing Committee's observations on quality and standards in 'The Learning Age: Higher education for the 21st century' and in its white paper 'The Learning Age: A renaissance for a new Britain'. The Dearing Committee's report also dealt with other matters, including qualifications and standards. Benchmarks' and 'templates' cannot and should not attempt to prescribe content or procedures. Subject 'benchmarking' groups would have to steer between the Scylla of over prescription of content and the Charybdis of listing only transferable skills.
