What a syllabus says about education

Having thought and read about education a little more, I have noticed something quite interesting. The syllabus for GCSE Business Studies has changed significantly this year - it is far more focussed on business enterprise that on studying, let's say, other businesses. My experience with new students suggests that this subject, at GCSE level and for the 14-16 age group, is difficult for students because of their lack of context (none are economically independent). Even AS/A2 level students suffer from a distinct lack of experience to relate to the topic.

What I can see then is a reason to change the syllabus - if it isn't relevant or comprehensible then it isn't worth the effort. Yet the new syllabus smacks of the populism relating to Dragon's Den and even the X Factor. You too can be a successful businessperson! But in reality virtually none of my students would be able to start a business capable of surviving a few weeks, let alone a year or two. I do feel that I'm promoting a forlorn hope, yet it is my responsibility to deliver to the syllabus and I must (because of the nature of my school and its one year GCSE courses) stick to it. I am rather struck by the responsibility this brings and this isn't something I expected.