With the primary school exit exam coming up soon, I believe it an opportune time to discuss the education system. The history of public education in the world was introduced as a consequence of the industrial revolution. People needed training to operate the new machinery and because of mechanisation fewer workers were needed hence time for school was permitted and necessary.
The world at the inception of the public school system was more authoritarian than now. Schools are not democratic and do not cater to the individual but is one size fit all. The present education system has not evolved to meet the new social context. The modern world is more democratic and promotes individualism; formal school does not.
I have visited high schools in several Caribbean countries and in the United States and have concluded that good schools have good students. Teachers are a factor in educational process but the most important factor is the student’s motivation to learn.
Why are Chinese and Japanese students doing well on international exams? Do they have better teachers than other countries? I suspect they have more disciplined and motivated students as a consequence of a more authoritarian and less individualised culture. This culture is more suited for the present public education system.
The main thing that needs to be done is to motivate students to want to learn study hard and do all required work. That is what is not happening in schools that are not performing. To help difficult children one must attack the problem from multiple fronts.
Teacher training is good but will not fix the problem of the education system. It’s like giving Tylenol to an Aids patient and believe they will be cured. Social reengineering needs to be done. This was done after the American Revolution, Chinese Revolution, and Cuban Revolution etc. We must a focus on creating good citizens that are productive and not just leave it up to parents many of whom are dysfunctional themselves.
We could keep doing the same things and expecting different results or we can make a concerted effort to change the status quo and improve the quality of life for all.
Improving our education system cannot be separated from improving the society and from improving the individuals. To me, our actions to address the problem in our education system seem more symbolic than serious.
Brian E Plummer