EDUCATION

[JOEBIALEK]

As students return to schools all across the country, perhaps a discussion about education would be appropriate. From a capitalist point of view, some would argue that the purpose of public education is to provide training to enter the work force. The basics of reading, writing and arithmetic are taught to provide a foundation of which to build on once a person graduates to on-the-job training. However, the democratic argument suggests that the purpose is to promote an informed citizenry. Therefore, an exposure to history, sociology etc benefits society as a whole because people learn about their roles and responsibilities. Obviously, both arguments merit equal consideration and should continue to be pursued. Further, no one can dispute that each and every child in this country should receive the educational services provided by the public. The most pressing question today, however, is how does government ensure the quality of educational services?

The public school system today continues to fail at educating our children both in terms of job training and citizen awareness. The most powerful country to ever exist on planet earth continues to lag behind other countries when it comes the very basics expected of this institution. The reason for this is because of the bureaucratic non-incentives consistent with government waste. Teachers are not held accountable as a unit manager would be held accountable for their unit achieving objectives in a private corporation. They are also not rewarded financially for the success of their students when it comes to test results. And the biggest benefactor of all, private enterprise is not required to reinvest in an educational system that provides free training to future employees. The time for privatization of public education is long overdue. We as a country need to finally get serious about training and educating our future citizens. It is time to use corporate property tax along with personal property tax as a means of funding schools. Educational facilities from pre-schools to colleges and universities need to be converted to entities of private enterprise whereby an education is crafted as the finest product available to United States citizens. Along with this transition would be the disciplinary environment so desperately needed in our schools today. If a co-worker or boss were struck by an employee, they would be fired and possibly jailed. The same code needs to exist in schools today. Furthermore, a greater effort needs to be made in determining where one fits in the skills and abilities matrix. Spending more time and attention to the criss-cross of what one enjoys doing with what one is good at doing would make a profound difference on our society. Education is a public good no less or important than national defense, environmental quality etc but it is the means of providing that good that most importantly needs to change.

[raynbo]

As a mostly uneducated byproduct of the rat race known as public education, I have to weigh in here. It seems that our system now is trying to cram all kinds of semi-useful stuff down our throats, then test us to death, to prove we're smart. Then, when and if we pass those hurdles to learn the things we actually need to know for our job, they continue to test and confuse. I'm super frustrated right now because the area I want to study is either not offered at this university or is buried under layers of structure. I'm not sure which. So yes, reform is definitely needed. And what about exposing high school students to potential career fields outside of the classroom? Yes, some places have so called "technical centers" but the stigma that surrounds them is unbelievable! If you go to one of those you must be stupid or weird. Or at least that was the attitude in my high school.
I'm not sure what all this private enterprise stuff means, but I won't dismiss it.

[Stream]

I don't know enought about the US school system to give any advice or share your opinion but to me it seems some of the major differences between US and European schools are:

- In Europe we focus on teaching students about the history (both old-time and present-time) of all continents/countries while in the USA most (if not all) focus is on American history (and geography).

- In USA you focus a lot on teaching how to speak in front of others. You always have oral presentations in front of class (and entire school). This is at least NOT common in Norway.


I agree to some point that all kinds of schools should be professional (private) enterprises, however it should always be free to go to school. It's a right for everyone to get an education so you can't charge people for it. It's ok to have some private schools that teach in a different way (giving the parents and option) but most schools should be public.
In Norway it's free education. You don't have to pay anything as long as you attend public schools. No Universities are private but a few colleges are. Now it's said that Univirsities should start charging their students and become private enterprises, but I doubt the parliament will accept this proposition.

As I see it, it's common for US and UK pupils to attend private schools meaning the parents have to save up lots of money for their childs education. Can't say that is a good idea as not everyone got the chance to save up anything and have to hope for a scholarship to get their kids a good education.

In Norway almost everyone get a scholarship for studying at College or University levels. At the moment you get about 80000NOK ($11000) per year to cover your living costs (paying for a dorm-room and food etc.). 40% of that amount goes as a scholarship, the rest is a loan that you have to pay back within 20 years. If you fail your exams some of your scholarship gets "converted" into loan.

I feel this is a healthy way of doing it. Sweden and Denmark also got similar ways of doing it allthough I think they get a better scholarship and more flexible loan.

[Viceroy]

Canada's school system is actually pretty good. More money for education is needed however, because although it is public they still charge fees to go there, which destroys the purpose of free education. My view is that everyone should have the right to a good education. Also university tutition is notoriously expensive, although some public money is given to fund them as well. The cost should be brought down. More and more, university education is going to the rich and elite and not the common man. Everyone should be able to afford to go to university.
As for privateizing education, I'm totally against that. Education should be one of the main responsibilities of governments - to ensure that tomorrow's generation can succeed. Education is much more accountable when part of the government and directly responsible to the elected assembly.

[davehart]

Not that clued up on other education methods but my experince of education over here is is a right load of bollocks. Lower, free, public education is good for building up a good base of knowledge and getting the basics but to go onto further education its getting into debt.

Entry fee's, all the costs that go with it and now the talk of top up fee's, its all just a load of bollocks and why I have no faith in our education system. Best of finding something you like and learning it yourself.

[raynbo]

Hmmm. Norway's idea of uni is kinda interesting. But I wholeheartedly agree with the expand history thing. I can't even count how many times I've felt like a right idiot when I tel my European friends about where I live and they're all like, yeah, you mean this and this and this. And they tell me where they live and I'm like, OK, now I need to know all sorts of stuff. lol And I do find it easier to learn on my own, which doesn't seem to work well here.
With the loan situation the way it is here in the US though, not sure if I'd like half my college money to be a loan. This year I was very very lucky and got scholarships to come to uni, not sure how it'll work next year. eek! But I know that there is a lot of supposedly free or semi free money in scholarships, grants, and loans, both from government, the uni, and private places. The trick is finding it, and as usual, testing for it!
Later. This is a most interesting topic.

[((-&E-))]

fcuk me.. this seems like a very intulectual post..

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im @ uni.. its quite good... learn this & that.. <----- thats my input for the conversation