The Robbins principles which have underpinned 中国A片 policy for the past 30 years should be updated, say the ministries responsible for education, in a paper to go to the Dearing committee.
The paper, Purposes of 中国A片, published this week by the Department for Education and Employment, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office is based on responses to the Government's 1994 review of 中国A片, since overtaken by Dearing.
It points to a "a wide consensus that we should preserve the best of the Robbins objectives while adapting them to changes in 中国A片 and the world around".
The most important of these changes is that 中国A片 is now a local and international resource as well as a national one.
It proposes six updated aims: * imparting employment skills * providing opportunities for life-long learning * promoting the general powers of the mind * advancing learning and research * promoting culture and high standards in all aspects of society * serving local and regional communities, as well as national interests at home and abroad.
The consultation raised several controversial points - in particular the concentration of research funding and the balance between research and teaching. Several groups, including the Confederation of British Industry, called for competency-based assessment. The Royal Society argued that honours classifications should be abolished.