We were talking about Nelson in the office. One person asked if Nelson was "some boat guy". He is a 23 year old computer technician. I said "have you never heard of Nelsons column in London". His reply was "I have never been to London".
Well, there're plenty of Londoners who've never been to Manchester!
I think any citizenship test based on knowledge questions like that is rubbish. We expect immigrants to know vastly more than a great many of our native born citizens know, and know stuff that has no relevance to everyday life.
If we want to pick and choose, we should test people for manners and intelligence - not some sort of academic intelligence, but the basic ability to work out how to get on with other people, see the consequences of their actions, feel empathy, cook on a budget etc etc
Those who wish to learn history can do so. History can be a valuable example in life, but just knowing the name of Nelson doesn't tell you jack about the Napoleonic Wars, social conditions in the country at the time, or the state of military technology.
school swot
