First of all, if any teacher reads this then I really do have the upmost respect for you.
The problem I have is with the system itself. Now I realise that I am speaking from my own personal point of view and it’s very UK based so if you are from another country then let me know your problems with education.
First of all as I have eluded to in part one is that 90% of what is learned by our little poppets is literally trivia, fun facts or pub quiz answers. So what should be taught I hear you ask? Well maths and English or your own national language for a start, it doesn’t have to be quantum physics in maths or the works of Shakespeare in English (although my wife would differ on the later). Just the basics to get through life.
As regards maths, if you excel then yes do advanced maths but if you don’t then replace with financial education and management. Straight away every kid in there teens should understand the concept of getting a loan or mortgage and the implications of interest. Work out the concept of saving when you are home with your parents if you can to reduce debt in the future (if only somebody taught me that🤦🏻♂️). Also this is sadly neglected and probably for a reason which I will go to in part 3.
In the uk, we generally learn French as our second language. Our country made a concerted effort from 1912 to educate us on this to this day. Now this typifies our education system, it doesn’t change or if it does then it to slow. I have nothing against French but surely Spanish would be more beneficial or even mandarin (Yeap, the new superpower). Imagine if you could master them 3 languages at young age, the world would be your oyster.
At the end of July the kids break up for the six week holidays, yeah for kids and aaaarrrgghh for parents. The reason why we have the six weeks at this point is so the our children can help the farmers with the harvest. Brilliant, just brilliant. Honestly just have 2 or 3 weeks at this point. I would then be tempted to add an additional week at xmas and have 2 flexible weeks when we could book off at any point giving kids a break or a holiday for the family at a less expensive time.
During the lockdowns of Covid it highlighted that schools are in a way just super crèches allowing parents to work. The trouble is the system is still similar to the early 1900’s. Kids are less and less interested because society has advanced rapidly. They are also far to rigid. We aren’t educating our kids, we are conditioning them and do you what,they are rebelling and fair play to that.
Part 3 next week. We will dig deeper on why schools are like they are and path is paved with further problems.
BeingDad 