Firing teachers, competition, online learning, the introduction of technology, yet another type of test – none of these are working. They are products of the business school mentality. What is necessary is human contact and encouragement.
All the American programs that have been successful in teaching children the love of learning, and which have reduced the drop-out rate, have been based on mutual trust, respect and personal attention. They bring more adults into the lives of children and offer mentoring for those with dysfunctional homes or without English as a domestic language. This requires patient, dedicated teachers who are genuinely interested in children, not huge amounts of money spent on technology, or even paint on the walls.
But where do we find the teachers? The UK, for instance, is in the middle of a baby boom. Nursery schools are bursting at the seams; secondary schools will soon be the same. With between 30 and 40 children to a class, how is anyone to give personal attention to the children. Of course, it is the bright ones who get no attention at all. No surprise if they get quickly disillusioned. The waste!
In an Epicurean world teachers would be paid more than bankers and command the greatest respect in society. Our values are seriously awry.
There is another problem: lack of discipline at home – the “They’re only young once” approach to child rearing.
I recently had lunch at a pub on a beautiful stretch of river in Devon. Dozens of children were playing in the river. The rocks were slippery and potentially dangerous. Not one of them paid attention to anything their anxious parents told them. They were collectively out of control. A young woman nearby said ( in a voice impossible to ignore) , “Who would want to teach this lot? In my lifetime there will be no teachers left. Too stressful. They are being brought up to ignore their parents and any authority figure”. A bit harsh, but you don’t need more than a handful in a classroom before you are babysitting, not teaching.
Hi Mr Hanrott, I just wanted to say thank you for writing the excellent Epicurus blog. I read it every day, every article is so thoughtful and inspiring. I sometimes comment on your articles under the name of Owen. Please continue to keep up such high-quality blogging.
I’m only 17 years old, who has grown up in a very religious family; reading your posts on Epicurean philosophy has really helped me to understand the world in a more rational way- which is a lovely break from my Christian environment. Unfortunately, the christians I know are as intolerant of my ideas as they were of Epicurus’.
Thank you once again, you’ve been a real inspiration.
Yours sincerely, Owen Bell (student from West Sussex)