I see I'm not the only one that's really noticed the dumbdown.
School used to be a place to get an education, and now it's a place to learn how to pass exams.
Do you remember dropping potassium into water in chemistry? I do
Do you remember using a bandsaw in the woodworking rooms? I do.
What about climbing ropes up the the ceiling of the gymnasium?
Going around assault courses (I hold my hands up and declare that I was a forces brat)?
They get wrapped up in cotton wool, and barred from doing the things we used to get up to when I was at school.
Can't play conkers, can't climb trees, can't play football with a proper football, all because of the potential for injury (which is there but's it's low risk) and justified with that catch all for idiocy, health & safety.
Not knowing how to repair a bicycle tyre puncture is just gross stupidity, not on your nephew's part, but of his parents.
But they have been subject to the great dumbdown too.