We Need An Education Make Over
“Mum I failed every GCSE…..You may be proud of me whatever I do but I’m not. I wanted to pass to make you and dad proud of the person you brought onto the earth, but I couldn’t even do that.”
This is not ok. Depression. Suicidal thoughts. Shame. Feelings of failure. This is the state that my lock down generation child is left in after always doing her best at school throughout her 12 years of education, only to be at the mercy of a GCSE exam system which literally uses the word ‘fail’ for any achievement below a level 4. Some kids just can’t make the grade despite working their hardest. If a person has given all they have got to give, should this be rewarded by branding them a failure?
It’s time to rethink our education system and to pave the way for each child’s unique gifts to be recognised and nurtured. Enough of this factory farming approach to education - It’s time for change! I invite you to dream big and add to your new paradigm visions, a world where kid’s unique gifts are searched out, valued and magnified! A curriculum which supports art, design, drama, sport and creative thinking as well as traditional academic subjects. Where kids are taught the value of community; how to manage their own finances and where first aid is not just a 2 hour slot in year 8! Where mindfulness, meditation and positive thinking are encouraged daily. Where a careers officer has glass sculptor, acrobat or wildlife film maker on their list as well as the usual contenders!
In a system that places priority on stats over personal attainment, and where lockdown has become a catalyst for a mental health epidemic amongst our young people, we must not just think outside the box, we must unfold it, apply a serious origami makeover and remodel the whole damn thing!
Who’s with me, paradigm-makers??
Yours sincerely,
A Mum of a child who’s most shining gift is her emotional intelligence and desire to help others.