SOME OF THE BOYS on the block somewhere along the line seem to have had their dreams broken. We prefer to say they have fallen through the cracks.
Most of these must have had dreams of one day being the best they could be and of developing their dreams, their God-given talents, and his will. We call it self-actualisation or whatever, the highest level of attainment.
Many of these guys were placed primarily in the newer secondary schools. Many of them have different proclivities or inclinations and talents, and many dreamed of excelling in their chosen vocations.
We place 25 or 30 children in a classroom and teach each of them a core syllabus. It depends then on the teacher’s skill to spot and maintain the interest of these boys and we lose out of their creativity. Similarly many pass through the system and are incapable of reading, a major handicap. The classroom is a place of torment for them.
We tend to like the academically bright ones. This trend has not changed in over 100 years. But, how can we teach a fish to fly? He has to excel in his element.
There is need for reform. I would suggest smaller classes. If we were to pay teachers more money they would be more motivated. Teachers should be amongst the higher paid workers. The profession would attract more males. They are in charge of the future. School children represent about 20 per cent of the population, yet they are 100 per cent of the future.
The genius Albert Einstein, the father of the theory of relativity, said “anyone can be a genius”. Several countries have carried out reform and are among the global leaders in education. Finland tops the list. Island state Singapore has one of the best educational systems in the world. They have surpassed Britain, America and those giants.
I know a guy who was a garden boy at one of the newer secondary schools, but today he does fantastic work in cupboard building.
We need to get away from the short- sightedness, that education is only about passing exams and academics, and recognise it is about allowing students to live their dreams and become the best they can be.
– PHILIP O. HUNTE
