The release of A level results prompts fresh claims that standards are being diluted for political reasons.

As exam chiefs pledge to "drive failure out of the system", a 94.3 per cent pass rate holds out the prospect that, at the current rate of improvement, a 100 per cent success rate will be achieved by 2004.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told ePolitix.com, "Congratulations to all the hard-working students on their A level success. This is the generation with more stamina than we ever had. They have had to work hard despite uncertainty with changes in the A level system and a heavier workload.

"The notion that standards are dropping proves this is jealousy season. You may ask is the mile getting shorter or is the runner getting better trained? It is a case of critics of the A level system being jealous of hard-working, well-coached young people.

"There is no surprise that girls have out-performed boys again. Girls tend to read and write around the subject rather than just study the well-judged minimum. Girls are now reaping the benefits of being conscientious.

"It is a pity that over 3000 students decided to drop maths at AS-level but it is not surprising. It tells you that maths is seen as a high-risk subject and only the high achievers are prepared to take the risk, and that's a pity. Students are choosing by grade and not subject to ensure they get their chosen university place."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the NUT, told ePolitix.com, "Year after year we have the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and achievement of pupils and teachers. Yet each year the debate is dominated by the whingers who cannot accept that the exams are better, young people are working hard and their teachers provide them with phenomenal support.

"If the carpers were calling for a fundamental review of the nature of our examination system that would be an issue that could be discussed rationally. Instead they condemn the system outright and denigrate the success of students.

"Our young people will have the sense to ignore them and rightly celebrate their achievements. They will see the denigration for what it is - carping, unfounded criticism - and have confidence in their own achievements."

Forum Response: Universities UK

Professor Roderick Floud, president of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com, "It is very encouraging to see the large number of people earning qualifications that will gain them entry to university and we should be celebrating their success this week.

"Higher education has enormous benefits for both individuals and society. A university education is worth the investment - graduates earn more and have more opportunities open to them."

"The UK needs more, not fewer, qualified individuals. Universities UK fully supports the government's target of 50 per cent of people under 30 experiencing higher education by 2010 - it is vital for the social and economic prosperity of the country."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Ruth Lea, head of the policy unit at the IoD, told ePolitix.com, "We congratulate all successful A level students and in no way wish to denigrate the sacrifices and hard work that many pupils have made. However, we continue to believe that yet another 'record-breaking year' for A level pass rates is symptomatic of endemic and rampant grade inflation.

"We must ask ourselves what do we want from A levels since it is clear that they are becoming increasingly meaningless?

"A levels used to be testing and highly 'discriminatory' - gold standards selecting undergraduates for a highly selective university system - not any more. They are now designed for an age of mass entrance into universities. As the university system has changed so have A levels; they have been 'dumbed down'."