The continuing commercialisation of education is, of course, evil. But one maths teacher deserves credit for his ingenious response to budget cuts.

Mr Farber, who works at Rancho Bernardo High in San Diego, USA, realised his $314 (Pounds 217) photocopying budget would not cover the cost of producing practice test papers. So he invited parents and local businesses to advertise on them.

USA Today reported that he charged different amounts depending on the type of test, and that advertising space for the end-of-term exam had sold out quickly.

About two-thirds of the ads were inspirational messages from parents. Others were from local firms, two were from an engineering firm, and one was from a dentist who urged pupils to “Brace yourself for a great semester!”

Paul Robinson, the school’s principal, told USA Today that reaction from parents had been mixed. But he said: “It’s not like, ‘This test is brought to you by McDonald’s or Nike.’”

Something tells us that it’s only a matter of time.