Battlefront3.net

[Matthew]

I'm going to continue with the UK education bashing just a tiny bit.

I think 99% of what I learnt at school was a waste of time. Children are given no choice, they learn things only relevant to small percentages of the population and almost no life skills are taught. I have a controversial view on education based on choice and liberties but I feel I'm correct. The UK schooling system is far too conservative.

Children should learn what is important to them. It's never too late to learn, I believe. Many people miss out earlier on with education so adult education is important.

My five big ideas are:

- Make schooling un-compulsory. This is better for people who want to learn. People who don't want to learn, wont despite being forced to attend. They are a distraction. This will make it easier to expel children and deal with behaviour. It saves on costs also

- Give choice. Children need to learn things that interest them and which they can develop for their own ambitions. The idea to keep doors open is stupid because it's a waste of time and money. This is why adult education is important, in case people want to change path.

- English is about English, not about poems. Many children these days haven't got a clue about proper English. It's because they don't get taught English, instead they read poems and plays. Complete lunacy.

- Give the children some liberties. Give them some freedom. No need for stupid rules. And why do they need to wear a uniform? That's a very conservative idea. Completely bizarre.

- Teach them important life skills - People need to know more about things like finance, how to communicate and how laws and systems work.

My ideas would make education more cost efficient, allowing more to be spent on the quality of teaching. It also allows people to follow a path best suited for them. It will make the population more educated in important areas.

I know this because I had to suffer the truly horrendous education system myself. I'm at college now which is a relief. I get to do things that I want to do.

[Ironman21]

I'm from America, so I see your point of view. I'm currently a senior, and the school I go to doesn't have uniforms. choosing what interests you can be summed up at my school by electives, where you choose what classes you want to take, however, you still have to take the minimum graduation requirements. Also, you have to have english, which does not teach the language but rather books. Some school is good, and some is bad, but if you don't go to school you won't get a job in America outside of a McDonalds, and most of the time not even then

[Matthew]

"and most of the time not even then" Hence it's a waste for some people. Some children also setback others. This is why I like the idea of focusing on adult education. When they realise they can't get a good job they can do something about it later on.

In the UK people between 14 and 16 for two years can choose some subjects but there is compulsory subjets which are mostly a waste of time. Religious education was compulsory for me. That's the biggest example of a big waste of time. Me and others managed to deal with it by making jokes all the way through it. RE was more of a social occasion because it was so stupid to pay any attention to.

[Ironman21]

Well, sounds like you've had one heck of a time in school

[Scott]

- Make schooling un-compulsory. This is better for people who want to learn. People who don't want to learn, wont despite being forced to attend. They are a distraction. This will make it easier to expel children and deal with behaviour. It saves on costs also

I don't completely agree with this as many children are purely hating school because they are immature and frankly stupid. If they didn't go to school then the homeless rate would go sky rocketing (and welfare costs). This could then cost the country more money instead of saving.

- Give choice. Children need to learn things that interest them and which they can develop for their own ambitions. The idea to keep doors open is stupid because it's a waste of time and money. This is why adult education is important, in case people want to change path.

I do agree with this. Up to this point (grade 10) I've really only learned a couple of things from school. How to speak English, speak basic French, socialize, write, read, and math. Almost everything else has completely escaped me and I have no recollection of last semester let alone grade 3 science.

- English is about English, not about poems. Many children these days haven't got a clue about proper English. It's because they don't get taught English, instead they read poems and plays. Complete lunacy.

Where I live (Canada) we learn mostly about grammar and proper writing styles and not about other writers (Well we do just not as much).

- Give the children some liberties. Give them some freedom. No need for stupid rules. And why do they need to wear a uniform? That's a very conservative idea. Completely bizarre.

We don't have uniforms here either.

- Teach them important life skills - People need to know more about things like finance, how to communicate and how laws and systems work.

I completely agree with that as well. The only way you learn these skills is from a job which not every child can obtain (either because of resume, job availability, or distance from a job).

[Matthew]

- Make schooling un-compulsory. This is better for people who want to learn. People who don't want to learn, wont despite being forced to attend. They are a distraction. This will make it easier to expel children and deal with behaviour. It saves on costs also

I don't completely agree with this as many children are purely hating school because they are immature and frankly stupid. If they didn't go to school then the homeless rate would go sky rocketing (and welfare costs). This could then cost the country more money instead of saving.

If they hate it they wont learn anyway. It's why adult education is important. Might as well make the whole thing optional.

In many cases people only know how much they need something when they don't have it.

[Scott]

- Make schooling un-compulsory. This is better for people who want to learn. People who don't want to learn, wont despite being forced to attend. They are a distraction. This will make it easier to expel children and deal with behaviour. It saves on costs also

I don't completely agree with this as many children are purely hating school because they are immature and frankly stupid. If they didn't go to school then the homeless rate would go sky rocketing (and welfare costs). This could then cost the country more money instead of saving.

If they hate it they wont learn anyway. It's why adult education is important. Might as well make the whole thing optional.

In many cases people only know how much they need something when they don't have it.

That's a very pessimistic and then right back to optimistic way of looking at people. Your right they aren't going to learn properly if they don't want to but they are even less likely to wind of taking adult courses later in life. That would imply someone was keeping them off the streets and then getting them convinced to take these courses. I just can't see that happening for everyone of them.

[Sam]

I agree with giving everyone a choice on what they want to take subject wise but there have to be some compulsory modules in there aswell, to make sure everyone has atleast the basic skills in maths and english. Maybe not enrole everyone together and have a tiered system, where the best are challenged and the weakest are still challenged but at thier level. That would mean everyone gets the most out of thier schooling that they can.

Also, I know in the UK the government are proposing to make A-levels compulsory, which is not a good idea, for alot of people education is not the right route to take and leaving school at 16 is actually beneficial to them so that they can easily explore other paths and get other skills that suite them(building, mechanics, culinary etc)

[Matthew]

They don't have to do A-levels but can do apprenticeships, NVQs or diplomas instead. Still a barking idea. I'm glad I wont go through that period. It's definitely not beneficial to people like me that would otherwise like to do A-levels.

[Scott]

If you don't mind me asking, what are you taking in college?

[Matthew]

Business Studies, Mathematics and Computing for the two-year, A2, full A-levels. Last year I did AS Geography which I got a B for. This year, which is the last year, I'm doing AS Electronics.

I just did some exams last month. I should get the results next month. Then I have June exams and I'm done. Last year I got As for the main three.

Occupation:Student

So what are you doing now then?

[Scott]

I'm still in grade 10 but going to take a very brief University course for software engineering. I'm planning on taking business, math, and computer sciences in college (or University). I'm hoping to be a programmer or game designer for my future career.

[Matthew]

Combine the two and be a video game programmer?

[Scott]

Well from my searching I found that a video game programmer is the one who creates new tools for the game to be created. If I were to become a programmer that would be definitely be my top choice for a job but I would much rather be more in the designing aspect. I wouldn't mind taking both in college (or University) so I have options and could potentially start my own business with fewer employees.

[Ironman21]

One of my cousins is a video game designer right now