Prince Charles: A failed system

Education Minister Welcomes Prince's Criticism

The Prince criticised what he called the "fashionable approach" to education over the last 30 years. In an interview with Sir David Frost, Prince Charles said his charity, the Prince's Trust, has had to pick up the pieces of a failed system.

He added: "I think he is right to send these warnings...when we look at what has happened over the years, there have been some sort of experiments that have been tried...that have not been a great success and one of things that we are very keen to do is to ensure we get the basics right in terms of literacy and numeracy."

Byers: Defends Prince Charles

Mr Byers rejected the suggestion that the Prince was criticising the comprehensive model saying: "If there is a criticism of the comprehensive education system that has developed, perhaps it has been that we have levelled down and that hasn't been in the interests of a number of young people."

He defended the Prince's right to comment on such issues despite criticism from teachers' unions about his involvement.

"I think he is abusing his position, I think he should decide whether he wants to be a member of the Royal Family or a politician. He cannot be both," he said. "To condemn the whole education service as a failure does a great disservice to teachers, children and indeed the nation as a whole."