This story in the Telegraph indicates that heavily politicized education works no better in Britain than it does here. A leading businessman, Mike Rake, says that many young people are illiterate and that “politicians have a huge amount to answer for.” He also attacks the obsession with pushing young people into college, which often leads to “a big debt and no job.”
“Many universities are just desperate to fill places and get their grants.” he says.
Sounds just like the U.S.