Part I.
I have worked in education for more than ten years and there is one lesson that I've had enough of learning.
Our system is horribly corrupt, and it is horrifically failing our youngsters.
Every single one of us adults with capacity is responsible for every single kid right now falling further into this outdated, controlling farce we call education.
First and foremost, this is not a teacher problem.
OK, some teachers are absolute twats let's face it, but this has nothing to do with ground-level failure.
This is not an attack on teachers. This is not license to let that internal rage rip against overworked and already-abused Mrs Honeysuckle.
Save it, because we will need your fire.
The problem, for a start, is with our curriculum.
It's boring. It's biased. It's irrelevant.
OK I'm sure everyone agrees that basic reading, writing and mathematical skills are sincerely helpful for life.
Yet, they are taught in rigid schemes.
Steps are covered as quickly as a politician's expenses, no matter the actual maturity or readiness of the learner.
You could say it's a joke, but the outcomes are seriously unfunny.
Kids are made to feel useless if they don't "get it" at speed. The class moves on anyway.
That shit is seriously damaging to self-esteem and let's not forget the fact these children are just that, children. They're different ages, abilities, they're different people.
That's another huge problem, actually.
The structure, the setting and the classroom rules.
These restrictions are there under the guise of maintaining control. But why? Because otherwise there'd be chaos?
If we suddenly allowed for choice now, then yes, there likely would be. That's because most students have had their individuality and autonomy trained out of them. The curriculum is serving its purpose very well by creating people who are bored, biased and, well, not irrelevant by nature but left lacking true feelings of purpose.
They'd have no idea what to pursue, without being told.
They'd have no idea how to be curious.
Because we know-it-all don't we? Well, that's a major point of schooling actually.
One thing the education system doesn't like is a kid, or anyone for that matter, asking why.
I know kids that get sent out of the classroom for asking a teacher, "Why?" about a certain task or topic.
I know I got in trouble at school for it when I was younger, ask my mum.
But, why?
Surely being asked why, just requires an answer.
Yeah it can be tedious, if we're thinking pedantically. It can even take on a rude tone.
But when anything other than the answer is given, then what are we demonstrating?
What kind of example are we setting with our behaviour?
Is there no answer? - Because that in itself is an answer.
Is it because we don't know? Just say that. It's a skill, actually, that allows for progression. Let's figure it out for the future!
Or, is it because the true answer makes us feel uncomfortable, for some reason?
I mean, is it really OK to explode at students when they're disrespectful? We're supposed to be teaching them, for one. We're the adults and they're the kids, we remind them of that enough, right? What we're not accounting for is their disrespect is a massive indicator of how they're feeling. And I'm not at all surprised they're feeling disrespected by the world and that anger and frustration is showing.
When I'm asked, on a daily basis, "Why am I learning this?"
If the honest answer is, "Because you're going to need it to pass this bloody test," that is what I'll say.
And that's probably why my classroom is fully attended, engaged and respectful of one and all.
Which brings us to qualifications.
We have 15 and 16 year-olds (read that age again) taking up to that same number in exam papers, yes 15, 16, 17 papers and more for some, over a grueling 3 week period (and in the stifling heat this year too.)
For one part, of one GCSE English paper alone, students were expected to know all about and quotes from sixteen poems. I mean, what is that even achieving ultimately?
Some of you might be sheltered enough to be thinking, well I did it.
And did you actually need your B+ certificate in English Literacy?
As I'm writing this, I read a paper earlier that stated, use compound sentences and conjunctions in your answer.
This paper was for 11 year-olds.
Do you know what that means?
Anyway, the lad I was working with, at 15, could barely read those words, nevermind remember what they meant. The ironic thing is when he answers a question like the one being asked, he uses compound sentences and conjunctions. Not knowing what they are however, immediately stopped him from even trying.
What really frustrates me is that the subjects don't even prepare you for real life in that sector.
Music, Chemistry, History, Drama, PE, Art - if they exist on timetables, they rarely explore actual application in the field, or equip you with skills for various roles.
Instead of being awe-inspiring, it's a monotonous, moronic narrative. It's designed to shut down any natural interest.
When exams happen, a foreboding statement of, We Know-It-All and so must you, colours the whole school. Teachers are desperately drilling it into brains, that are already undergoing one of the biggest rewirings since their toddler years, that these results will impact on the rest of your lives.
Talk about pressure.
But I do get it from the teacher's perspective. Stick to the narrative - or lose your job. That also happened to me. Or maybe, they genuinely believe they're doing the best thing.
Surely we know by now that those grades mean nothing, all in all. Guess what really gets you somewhere in life? It's not your fault if you don't know the answer to that, we haven't ever taught it in schools.
Those results do, however, allow for those who have proved they can conform, absorb information and regurgitate it on demand to take the next step, toward more helpings of education. All before getting a job that's likely completely different to anything you dreamed about or even worked toward and you have to learn about life all over again. Actual life. Whilst living it.
If you swim this far, you're "making it" apparently, does it feel that way?
And those without the necessary qualifications?
These lives, the ones who didn't meet the criteria, are systematically marginalised further. What do you do for money when you can't access work, college, or an apprenticeship to secure any kind of future?
Slide toward crime, abusing benefits, homelessness, prison, addiction and ultimately an early death.
I have seen it happen now for more than a decade. We've lost too many incredible souls to the system. It's heartbreaking and it's also diabolical.
If you don't know, schooling, our traditional and trusty education system, was organised in the 1800s as a means to an end.
The early start, 5 days a week.
The hourly slots of demand and focus.
The demise of imagination and ambition.
Discipline, by design.
These elements were necessary, or at least viewed as necessary by Horace Mann, to mould a productive and effective workforce out of the youth. And what we still see today, is that original creation in all its archaic glory.
If you didn't get my drift there, it's outdated at best. And overall it's not serving any fit purpose. At worst, it's brainwashing society, it's damaging minds.
Now, if none of this strikes a chord or applies to you, then congratulations, I think.
We still need you to fight, because on mass our schools are toxic places to work as an adult, nevermind attend as an impressionable youngster seeking nurture, knowledge and direction.
Expectations are unrealistic and do not reflect a modern-day world. The curriculum is ridiculous and does not reflect a modern-day world.
Opportunity for creativity, choice, exploration and whim is totally restricted.
The whole thing is fake, fake and more fake and the kids know it.
Respect is at rock bottom because teachers cannot be authentic. The whole show is unmanageable because it's a shameful shambles.
Each year we churn out more unequipped and mentally ill youth that are unable to take care of their mind, body or soul. I mean, looking after yourself? Imagine that being a common understanding.
A teacher is definitely not able to lead by example.
What are we doing? It's an embarrassment.
The really troubling part is that things have got progressively worse and worse, and continue to do so.
The Government is intentional, and they do not have our best intentions at heart. Otherwise, we would see effective changes, immediately.
Ask a teacher what needs to change. They know the answers.
Ask a student what needs to change. They know the answers too.
These answers probably match.
We're all involved in this, and school as we currently know it needs replacing completely.
Together, we are stronger.
If you're up for this fight, share this article and help to drum up more backing for the cause.
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