Apparently today is “Learning at Work Day” organised by the campaign for Learning, as part of Adult Learners’ week. 

On our desks this morning, we found little “quiz sheets” to test our mathematical skills.  These involved such complicated mathematical problems as a join the connected statements question including “Breaks at work in one day = Lunch time plus tea breaks” and “Hours at work in a week = Hours worked per day times days worked per week” and many more questions I would be insulted by if I was taking my year-six SATs again.

This looks to be part of the same sort of government scheme / scam as the woeful business NVQ system whereby instead of teaching you better skills, they work out which skills you already have and give you a certificate accordingly.

Also included on this patronizing piece of bumpf are a few little whistful quotes that have absolutely no bearing on mathematics.  This one in particular stood out:

 “Today, be aware of how you are spending your 1,440 beautiful moments, and spend them wisely.”   -Anon

Is it really that advisable to put something like that on a piece of literature that is being disseminated among office workers? 

Additional Notes:

Adult learning always sounds much more fun than it is.