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Featured

28 Mar

Written By Guest User

Words by Hannah George — Words by **Hannah George**

Education is the root and foundation of every generation. Education is a key factor to any country’s success. If you are able to educate students well enough, they have the ability to rebuild broken elements in the society. The issue at the moment is that a lot of students despise everything to do with education. They simply do not see the impact or importance of education in their lives anymore and even when they do, there are clear factors that make, what should be some of the best development years of a young person's life - a miserable and dreaded experience. The education system needs to change.

Not all kids learn the same!

The first aspect we should address is the fact that not individual studies or retains information in the same manner. This is usually where many students begin to feel useless and as though school is not for them. Every child has a different way that they express their knowledge and should not be caged to learn in only one way. What usually tends to happen is, their attention will begin to wander where they find themselves most useful and in many cases, this is not always something positive. Some students are intellectual and others are practical - an issue only usually addressed at the latter part of their educational years, when students decide to go onto college, sixth form, university or an apprenticeship. At some point, there will always be a demand for both skills; practical and intellectual.

Students should have a say in how they learn. There should be two different styles of teaching within every school. Students will learn the same topics however, they will be taught in the traditional style which would require more reading and writing and also in a way that they can be hands on, practical and creative.

Project-based learning

Project-based learning is ideal for uniting both intellectual students and practical students. Project-based learning gives students the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents. This type of learning should incorporate each subject they study in school to demonstrate how and where everything they learn in schools is needed outside of school and within any business.

Students should be placed in teams in order to work together on one project for a long duration of time to show them issues that can arise and the time and patience required in order for the project to be a success. Students should be taught how to manage and deal with those issues as well as the importance of perseverance and endurance. Additionally, they should be taught key skills that are vital in the working world and in a business environment. Students should also be taught how to work with and be tolerable of different characters and personalities - a skill largely taught through exercises and tasks that require working as a team.

The project-based learning approach is there to bridge the gap between education and the ‘real world’.

Inspirational Educational Centres (IEC’s)

The education system is in desperate need of a revolution. Every aspect should be reflected upon, from the teaching styles to the syllabus and what really qualifies an individual to become a teacher that can inspire and not just simply teach. Schools have the power to reduce any youth related problems such as crime or unemployment in their local communities. However, because of the lack of research and attention to the voices of the young people, many schools have very little impact.

If students are not inspired by what they see and learn at school, there is an issue. Schools should have the best technology, the best resources and take on the structure of a university campus. There should be shops on site, an employment office and after school clubs should be engaging and fun throughout the school year. Students should be inspired by everything they see, from the paintings on walls, the food they eat to how the teachers carry themselves and the impact these teachers have in their community. If a young person is going to meet an influential person, the first one they should meet, should be in their schools.

Teachers!

Teachers play one of the most important roles within a young person’s life as they grow up. A teacher can either inspire or demotivate. Teachers have to constantly take on an image that will continue to make their students dream and want to do better. This can be done in many ways. How do they carry themselves - are they dressed presentable? Are they speaking words of encouragement yet truth? Do they practice what they preach?

Teachers are not just teachers of their chosen subject but on lifestyle, values and morals. Teachers are mentors, mother and father figures, friends and counsellors as students spend most of their time in school and around them. Teachers must therefore adapt to the needs of each and every student where necessary.

Teachers should also be aware of the issues young people face in society. They should be culturally sensitive and have an understanding of different lifestyles. A student’s grades or focus in school can easily be affected by many factors either at home or from their environment outside of school - factors teachers are very rarely aware of and in most cases, do not really care about. As a teacher you can’t have your own voice - your voice is the voice of your students. You act as the mouthpiece for them. What do they want? What works best for them? What are their inspirations? - questions you should continuously ask yourself.

A new syllabus is needed!

As the world is constantly evolving, we must keep our students up to date! Our young people should be the best innovators and they should be encouraged to dream and inspire big. We only see impossibilities if we speak them and believe them!

A student should not have to seek other platforms outside of their educational institute to do what they want to do. Schools should inspire every student and cater to their interests. Topics such as trading, personal finance, entrepreneurship, coding, global studies and leadership urgently need to be introduced into the school syllabus otherwise, the current education system will continue to have very little influence and impact on our young people.

Life skills such as how to maintain relationships should be spoken about alongside who to network with after leaving school and making intentional friendships - not just simply having friends because you have known each other since year 7. Students should be taught how to remain connected with people who have similar interests and goals to them, as they will help them grow and develop their skills.

How to deal with crisis and failure should also be included in the syllabus as it is not just at a later stage in life that we experience these things. As someone who failed my A-levels, I was still able to go to university and study Spanish, French and Italian. Initially, I was told it was impossible, but having graduated, I am able to show others that failure is never a final destination. There is always a way to do what you dream of doing.

The value of the student.

The most popular question for young people nowadays is ‘Who am I?’. Students should begin to learn who they are at the beginning of their school years and by the end, have a very clear picture. Education should be centred around who they are and not who other people are. A young mind is easily swayed and influenced, especially if you do not know who you are yet - which is usually the case. Students are taught about the likes of Kim Kardashian, Henry the 8th and Hitler. Why are they not shown who they are and the kind of impact they could make in the world? Identify each of your students and who they are. Understand their gifts and skills and then allow them also to understand that no gift or skill is too small or insignificant.

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