Education in Crisis
The right to education is universally recognised. In the case of Argentina, all children are granted schooling and most people can access public education at different levels. However, nobody can deny that the system is suffering a great crisis. Teachers, schools and contents seem to gain notoriety in the last few decades.
To begin with, education does not seem to be the main priority for most governments. The proportion of the national budget that is allocated to it clearly shows its diminished importance. Little money and effort are invested in curriculum design. Foreign models are usually imported, real local needs are therefore not catered for. School facilities have been neglected for ages to such an extent that sometimes staying inside a classroom can be dangerous. What is more, teachers’ salaries are unbelievably disproportionately low.
Secondly, students have lost motivation for learning as well as respect towards teachers. School used to be the place where you were given the tools that would eventually boost your success. Conversely, today we are faced with the fact that not only has this institution lost its prestige but also its credibility. The media - which currently intend to shape most people’s ideas - tend to associate worthy achievements with celebrities who have not necessarily studied hard to gain popularity. In addition, some parents challenge teachers’ authority as well as their competence.
In addition, society as a whole has mixed feelings towards education. Although most people tend to cherish it as a key element in to human improvement, they do not defend it at all cost in times of hardship. In the nineties, schools were affected by the neo-liberal policies. Still, it was basically teachers and students that demonstrated against the government’s harmful plan of action. Both then and nowadays any time members of the education community decide to protest about the current status quo, a great part of society tends to criticize them.
Finally, school has failed to fulfill society's current demands. The post-modern lifestyle requires immediate answers, gratification and effects. Computers give thousands of answers just with a click of the mouse. On the other hand, school offers long-term improvement, it encourages students to make an effort now and wait for a reward in the future. What does “the future” mean these days? Teacher training programs are rather stale. Therefore, they usually fail to groom educators for the actual challenges they are bound to face.
All in all, it must be said that education keeps going in the face of adversity. As I see it, although schools have been the victims of the market, they have managed to retain their original purpose: to create an environment where individuals are given tools to have a voice. All citizens must be responsible for the upkeep of education.
The right to education is universally recognised. In the case of Argentina, all children are granted schooling and most people can access public education at different levels. However, nobody can deny that the system is suffering a great crisis. Teachers, schools and contents seem to gain notoriety in the last few decades.
To begin with, education does not seem to be the main priority for most governments. The proportion of the national budget that is allocated to it clearly shows its diminished importance. Little money and effort are invested in curriculum design. Foreign models are usually imported, real local needs are therefore not catered for. School facilities have been neglected for ages to such an extent that sometimes staying inside a classroom can be dangerous. What is more, teachers’ salaries are unbelievably disproportionately low.
Secondly, students have lost motivation for learning as well as respect towards teachers. School used to be the place where you were given the tools that would eventually boost your success. Conversely, today we are faced with the fact that not only has this institution lost its prestige but also its credibility. The media - which currently intend to shape most people’s ideas - tend to associate worthy achievements with celebrities who have not necessarily studied hard to gain popularity. In addition, some parents challenge teachers’ authority as well as their competence.
In addition, society as a whole has mixed feelings towards education. Although most people tend to cherish it as a key element in to human improvement, they do not defend it at all cost in times of hardship. In the nineties, schools were affected by the neo-liberal policies. Still, it was basically teachers and students that demonstrated against the government’s harmful plan of action. Both then and nowadays any time members of the education community decide to protest about the current status quo, a great part of society tends to criticize them.
Finally, school has failed to fulfill society's current demands. The post-modern lifestyle requires immediate answers, gratification and effects. Computers give thousands of answers just with a click of the mouse. On the other hand, school offers long-term improvement, it encourages students to make an effort now and wait for a reward in the future. What does “the future” mean these days? Teacher training programs are rather stale. Therefore, they usually fail to groom educators for the actual challenges they are bound to face.
All in all, it must be said that education keeps going in the face of adversity. As I see it, although schools have been the victims of the market, they have managed to retain their original purpose: to create an environment where individuals are given tools to have a voice. All citizens must be responsible for the upkeep of education.
OK! obviously, It's the teacher's fault!! I mean, look at her!! If she weren't blonde and had glasses, the parents would respect her!! he!
ResponderEliminarDear Silvina,
ResponderEliminarGreat piece! And great conclusion!
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