They're getting rid of traditional clocks in schools because teenagers can't tell the time

I don’t know, but you should be able to tell the time, right? It’s one of the first things you learn. And yes, digital ones are easier to understand, but analogue ones look nice and they work anywhere in the world - they should be kept alive. Shame then, that certain schools have agreed to abolish the use of them in exam rooms, as the teenage pupils are getting all up in a big tizzy over what the damn small hand means.

Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), says:

“The current generation aren’t as good at reading the traditional clock face as older generations.

“They are used to seeing a digital representation of time on their phone, on their computer. Nearly everything they’ve got is digital so youngsters are just exposed to time being given digitally everywhere.”

As such, digital clocks will be installed, so that pupils know they have ten minutes left to finish up their papers, not the seven weeks they mistakenly thought after looking at that weird round thing on the wall with the ticky sticks on it.

This initiative has stemmed from student complaints and a need to stop students putting their hands up in the middle of an exam to ask what time it is. Of course, as with any change, it’s sparked a fierce debate, which is ‘raging’ on Twitter, with many bemoaning the lack of simple skills in today’s youth.

However, others point to the inherent difficulty in reading analogue time in those with specific conditions:

Although people do seem to be neglecting to mention that if you’re having trouble with an analogue clock, then the 24-hour clock is gonna cause you problems, too - 17.00? What the hell is that?

Either way, digital is where it’s heading in schools, and there’s nowt you can do about that. 

Anyway, I’m off to bed, it’s 9.00am, whatever that means.

(Image: Getty)