Shot at Education!
So today something that sees a bit more news than rant, Okay it could be the other way around. It is just a simple thing really that is happening here and maybe also every where else. For years now we have been doing great when it comes to education. But somewhere we are going the wrong way. Somehow decline is seen in more than one way. And it does make you wonder if we are doing the right thing if we are motivating people, the youngsters or are we simply pushing them. Education has become an industry, where money comes first and the student second.
We are in a somewhat crisis, but none the less we were able to send a substantial amount of money to those who needed it. We cut budgets in education (there it is) and in medical care just so we can. Now before we start having angry faces. I know how bad it is but this I my opinion and I will elaborate. So we down to budget cuts. Every country does so. But what does help the economy best, cuts or investing? A question that I will keep repeating.
In our old days that some of you might remember. Schools were of status. Grand buildings and everything was just right. Big staircases with high, reaching ceiling windows. No money was spared when it came to educational institutes. It showed how well the school was doing and I think as a student you would be motivated to go there as well.
These days we build prefab industrial looking buildings we can build in 2 months and within a budget. Buildings of metal and glass. A sad piece of work if you ask me. But that has to motivate our 15 year olds? They do not like school let alone such sad cold looking building isn’t very inviting to come in for a day.
And then there is the third world countries we help money wise. What is the first building they always and I say it out loud ALWAYS build first? A SCHOOL.
And with in years that country is taking care of it self or at least better than before a school.
Villages disappear after the school vanishes. No more money to keep those ids on so we close the school. Kids go elsewhere. And not before long the small village evaporates or is eaten into a bigger town and has to change its name.
But what does help the economy best, cuts or investing?
How would you feel if adults use cheap schools to put you in. When they decide education need cuts. Would you still feel motivated to go to school if an adult already doesn’t belief in it and only thinks about saving money on your or your children’s future?
Should we really push our kids to the brink of stress because we force them to read words in 3 months because that is when a new plan of teaching is introduced and the teachers have to keep to that. Testing a 5 year old to see if she s ready to continue? Creating learning programs online for kids so that they can have a better change in a higher education follow up. I am seeing 6 years old with homework because they are to slow at school. Testing at age 5 as said again age 12 to see if they are ready for the next step or in what direction they should go to continue school. Kids here fear the dreaded test at age 12. They stress out what if that test says I cannot go to that school can never be a vet. Do we want that. Do we really want that. Is that how we treat our children. Pushing to save as much money on education as possible. Making sure they succeed in a shortest possible time. But what does help the economy best, cuts or investing?
This is an opinion based on what is happening around me and myself, my life. I endured lesser stress then my 6 year old nephew. In my time education was important and though they say so now as well. It makes you wonder they way they treat our buildings, teachers, and children to have things done in the shortest of time.
Best wishes
Ranting Crow
Ranting Crow 
I see you are in a though provoking mood today Mr Crow!!
he he it is grumpy Monday after all.
No but I do like to provoke thought. it is what makes us who we are.
On the note of kindergarten testing… all it is, is a simple run through of colors, basic shapes and recognition of the alphabet and numbers. In some districts, kids are given the option of Young 5’s in between preschool and kindergarten if they are not developmentally ready or behind in age-appropriate social skills. With the upswing of so many households with both parents working, preschools and daycare’s are preparing children much more quickly for academic education.
As a former elementary and special ed teacher (and mom of a 10 and 12 year old), I know what it feels like to be on both sides of the fence. I will also say that schools nowadays are left too responsible for teaching young children basic things such as manners and appropriate social skills, as these are things not being taught or enforced at home.
The behavioral issues in young children today entering kindergarten and elementary levels is astonishing. Growing up (I am in my early 30’s), I was not exposed to behavior problems in classrooms as a student myself until middle school and later (I attended many different schools by the time I reached high school, both parochial and public, just to give you an idea).
It’s flabbergasting as a parent and former educator to see the prevalence today of easily avoidable behavioral problems that constantly disrupt the educational process in schools, as well as negatively impact other children’s behaviors that are exposed to witnessing it. Basic things that older generations were taught about respect and public behavior are definitely on the decline at alarming rates. Unless people wake up and realize the downswing we are caught in as a culture, which affects EVERYTHING, things will only continue to get worse for future generations…
Great post and food for thought! =)
I agree with you on the behaviour of youngsters. but one could say it is because we push kids to sit and learn numbers and letters at age 5 no time to play and learn respecting differences which show more in play.
If early in life one cannot get along with learning one is damned stupid even sooner. True we are sliding down. I done so in an post about bullying and aids in class rooms. But it is good to think about these things. Thank you so much for the read and a well thought out comment.
Great post. Education is so important – I find it annoying when people think they can screw with a tried and tested method.
I was educated in Australia, and Mr Thomas in Britain. The differences in our learning is staggering. You guys really do have a better system than here in Australia. It shouldn’t be messed with!
It is and they ruining it in my opinion. But guess we have nothing to say about the adults who think they know better. Lets hope we do keep getting smarter and not throwing it away.
Hope so! If we have kids our plan was always to move to the UK so they could be educated there – might not be an option if their system is just as shite as the Australian one.