Schools Are Phasing Out Analogue Clocks Because Students Can't Read Them

Here's another sign of the impending apocalypse. Schools in the UK are beginning to phase out anlogoue clocks in exam rooms because young students simply can't read them anymore.

The worrying report comes from the Daily Telegraph who speak with educators about the rise of digital devices in the classroom.

"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,” said Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary at the Association of School and College.

“Schools will inevitably be doing their best to make young children feel as relaxed as the can be. There is actually a big advantage in using digital clocks in exam rooms because it is much less easy to mistake a time on a digital clock when you are working against time.”

Yes we live in an increasingly digital age, but being able to read a clock seems like a basic thing all human beings should be able to do, even if we don't really use analogue clocks any more.

Next we'll be hearing that pens and paper are being removed because students don't know how to operate them. That said, another expert told the Telegraph that students are struggling to use pens and papers.

“To be able to grip a pencil and move it, you need strong control of the fine muscles in your fingers. Children need lots of opportunity to develop those skills," said Sally Payne.