The malign influence of well-meaning, well-educated people
I'm back to posting again after an unplanned hiatus. Apologies to any "regular" readers, if there are any. I thought I'd take as this evening's subject the damage that can be created (wittingly or otherwise) by the well-educated, well-intentioned members of the intelligentsia in their role as paragons of virtue and advocates of "social justice".
I feel as though I'm blessed with choice; so many examples to pick from, where do I start? Perhaps I might begin with teachers.
My job has recently brought me into contact with the British education system through a school-industry link scheme type thing (I won't mention which one exactly as it's not relevant). I thought that after 13 years of school and 4 of university I'd be done with education now, but it's not so. Anyway, it's been an education, if you'll pardon the terrible pun, to experience life inside a London comprehensive.
There was, as one might expect, the hubbub of activity, shrieking and squealing that there always has been in the corridors and playgrounds. What really struck home though, were the sullen, defeated, tired faces of the teachers. Some of the older ones had the look of a clapped out alcoholic about them. There was no evidence anywhere of respect for authority. The teachers' faces said it all. Well-intentioned souls most of them, but hopelessly naive about the need for them to exert authority over their charges. Why, oh why, do I waste my time with these kids? Why don't they want to learn? Why do they make every effort to belittle me and make my life a misery? Naivety abounds, and it has not yet been challenged.
The teachers are their own victims. Well-meaning, well-educated teachers were at the forefront of encouraging the changes in schools which have done so much to weaken discipline (and thereby reduce the ability of teachers to teach uninterrupted).
I do hope that there are some thinkers out there in the teaching profession who are sceptical about modern teaching methods, and I hope that they are young teachers rather than old crusties. How refreshing it would be if a few young teachers had the courage to blast away the self-delusion and state the unutterable truth about modern schools.
To finish, have a look at this. I'm really going to miss the Duke of Edinburgh when he's gone. He can really hit the nail on the head now and then:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4355696.stm
I'm back to posting again after an unplanned hiatus. Apologies to any "regular" readers, if there are any. I thought I'd take as this evening's subject the damage that can be created (wittingly or otherwise) by the well-educated, well-intentioned members of the intelligentsia in their role as paragons of virtue and advocates of "social justice".
I feel as though I'm blessed with choice; so many examples to pick from, where do I start? Perhaps I might begin with teachers.
My job has recently brought me into contact with the British education system through a school-industry link scheme type thing (I won't mention which one exactly as it's not relevant). I thought that after 13 years of school and 4 of university I'd be done with education now, but it's not so. Anyway, it's been an education, if you'll pardon the terrible pun, to experience life inside a London comprehensive.
There was, as one might expect, the hubbub of activity, shrieking and squealing that there always has been in the corridors and playgrounds. What really struck home though, were the sullen, defeated, tired faces of the teachers. Some of the older ones had the look of a clapped out alcoholic about them. There was no evidence anywhere of respect for authority. The teachers' faces said it all. Well-intentioned souls most of them, but hopelessly naive about the need for them to exert authority over their charges. Why, oh why, do I waste my time with these kids? Why don't they want to learn? Why do they make every effort to belittle me and make my life a misery? Naivety abounds, and it has not yet been challenged.
The teachers are their own victims. Well-meaning, well-educated teachers were at the forefront of encouraging the changes in schools which have done so much to weaken discipline (and thereby reduce the ability of teachers to teach uninterrupted).
I do hope that there are some thinkers out there in the teaching profession who are sceptical about modern teaching methods, and I hope that they are young teachers rather than old crusties. How refreshing it would be if a few young teachers had the courage to blast away the self-delusion and state the unutterable truth about modern schools.
To finish, have a look at this. I'm really going to miss the Duke of Edinburgh when he's gone. He can really hit the nail on the head now and then:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4355696.stm
posted by Henry at
11:41 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home