#discussion #education
#social
I have been interested in Noam Chomsky's contribution to science these days. Well, what particularly, caught my attention is his remarks about current educational system:
Yeah, we actually used to be trained to obey rules and accept everything given at schools. Whenever I brought new ideas as part of the Kamalak organization, school authorities disagreed because they just wanted "peace" for themselves. That's why I had to move to the district level, where I could organize more things for students.
Nowadays, I am teaching some school children and clearly see ignorance in their attitudes towards education – they had been programmed to prepare for tests instead of getting true knowledge.
I don't want to blame anyone, just observing the situation. Students aren't rewarded for their creative expressions at schools, but to the extent how well they "memorize" lessons. Usually, the independent ones are punished, since they seem to "pose threat" to the community. Doesn't it sound weird? But it's in most public schools.
One of my students, Zarina, a very smart girl, doesn't often communicate her ideas in the class because she is introverted. Teachers don't even try to let her show her full potential. But as far as I know her, she is very capable – only needs a chance to show herself with a bit of guidance and support. After my lessons, she feels energetic, motivated and unusually confident. As days pass, there is progress in her self-expression and one of her teachers at school thanked me for that. What the hell? It was their duty to help her grow in the first place.
She is just an example. What about other students? Who don't have access to exclusive books, events, projects? Who end up being in an environment where independence is not cultivated, but repressed? Where teachers are mediocre and can't do their jobs properly? Where system advocates unnecessary tests? Where subjects are shallow and programs are not designed well? Where students are forced to attend school and graduate it with empty brains?
School should teach students to think by themselves – it's also true for other educational institutions too. School should promote talents and give them opportunities. School should make free space for children, where they connect with others and exchange ideas. It should be a very interesting place, where kids can enjoy and get engaged in lots of different activities, so they will start assessing their strengths and weaknesses. For that psychologists must help. But I don't see any psychologist working hard in this sphere. Many bright minds are leaving schools without realizing what they are good at. Even worse, life after school is so hard that those kids have to ignore education, talents etc. and get to a job to make money right away. That's why I think during school years, what students do and learn can affect their future professional developments. Though, education system doesn't seem to care about these matters, unfortunately. The reason may be as Chomsky mentioned.
#social
I have been interested in Noam Chomsky's contribution to science these days. Well, what particularly, caught my attention is his remarks about current educational system:
The whole educational and professional training system is a very elaborate filter, which just weeds out people who are too independent, and who think for themselves, and who don't know how to be submissive, and so on – because they're dysfunctional to the institutions.
Yeah, we actually used to be trained to obey rules and accept everything given at schools. Whenever I brought new ideas as part of the Kamalak organization, school authorities disagreed because they just wanted "peace" for themselves. That's why I had to move to the district level, where I could organize more things for students.
Nowadays, I am teaching some school children and clearly see ignorance in their attitudes towards education – they had been programmed to prepare for tests instead of getting true knowledge.
I don't want to blame anyone, just observing the situation. Students aren't rewarded for their creative expressions at schools, but to the extent how well they "memorize" lessons. Usually, the independent ones are punished, since they seem to "pose threat" to the community. Doesn't it sound weird? But it's in most public schools.
One of my students, Zarina, a very smart girl, doesn't often communicate her ideas in the class because she is introverted. Teachers don't even try to let her show her full potential. But as far as I know her, she is very capable – only needs a chance to show herself with a bit of guidance and support. After my lessons, she feels energetic, motivated and unusually confident. As days pass, there is progress in her self-expression and one of her teachers at school thanked me for that. What the hell? It was their duty to help her grow in the first place.
She is just an example. What about other students? Who don't have access to exclusive books, events, projects? Who end up being in an environment where independence is not cultivated, but repressed? Where teachers are mediocre and can't do their jobs properly? Where system advocates unnecessary tests? Where subjects are shallow and programs are not designed well? Where students are forced to attend school and graduate it with empty brains?
School should teach students to think by themselves – it's also true for other educational institutions too. School should promote talents and give them opportunities. School should make free space for children, where they connect with others and exchange ideas. It should be a very interesting place, where kids can enjoy and get engaged in lots of different activities, so they will start assessing their strengths and weaknesses. For that psychologists must help. But I don't see any psychologist working hard in this sphere. Many bright minds are leaving schools without realizing what they are good at. Even worse, life after school is so hard that those kids have to ignore education, talents etc. and get to a job to make money right away. That's why I think during school years, what students do and learn can affect their future professional developments. Though, education system doesn't seem to care about these matters, unfortunately. The reason may be as Chomsky mentioned.