The modern school system has been antiquated since the 17th century. Sure, there are exceptions, but for the most part, schools serve to indoctrinate rather than educate. Indoctrinate children with information that doesn’t serve who they truly are. True education should seek to bring out the gifts and talents of a child. For school to be meaningful, the curriculum should begin fostering learning around what children love most in the early grades. Academic excellence does not equal excellence in the real world.
Our educational system has not changed for centuries yet the world and the workplace has changed enormously. In my book, Disrupt yourself Or Be Disrupted, I mentioned that “Students spend many years in an obsolete system studying subjects they may never use and preparing for a world which no longer exists.”
And so, in my opinion here are 15 uncomfortable facts about school👇
- They teach conformity over individuality.
- Schools are a means of mass control and mass production.
- The concept of nurturing a child’s natural abilities is threatened with extinction under the current school system.
- There isn’t much on offer with the school system for a curious mind or someone who yearns for something different. The school system offers a one-size-fits-all academic curriculum that doesn’t work for everybody
- School rewards people for their caution and ability to memorise things but life rewards people for their imagination, creativity and daring.
- The school system encourages competition. The systems say to focus on yourself, achieve the best, get distinctions, shine by yourself, rise to the top of the class by yourself, etc BUT the real-world demands collaboration/team work.
- Schools are more about passing tests/exams and less about learning.
- They discourage passions and interests. Most of the curriculum is not needed and is forced.
- Schools drill in toxic mindsets, such as blind obedience.
- The school system doesn’t teach about money (financial literacy).
- In a highly technological world littered with AI, Robotic, blockchain, etc a world where machines are employable, yet the school system doesn’t yet prioritize skills like creative thinking, participative learning, innovation, emotional intelligence, etc.
- Schools don’t teach things that a high school graduate actually needs to know – balancing a personal budget, banking, how to get a job, how to create a company, nutrition and wellness, life planning/goal setting, communication/relationship skills (personal and business), etc. etc.
- Entrepreneurship should be taken more seriously in schools, something practical to educate learners on how to handle pressure but its not.
- One of the biggest issues with the school system is that students are not allowed to be wrong. This translates into the workforce with employees being afraid to try new things, ask for help and learn how to grow.
- The final thought is a quote from my book, Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted which states that “The real tragedy of the school system is that academic excellence is the only target. From childhood, we are programmed to believe that by scoring higher marks we’ll have a brighter future and be more likely to succeed in life.”
Anything to add?
Anything you disagree on?
#Education
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Subscribe to my Blog and never miss a post!
Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted
Comments (5)
I can’t agree with you any less, my parents actually choosed General Education for me over technical Education one the pretext that I was so intelligent to be sent to a Technical school, that Technical Education was meant for the less intelligent ones what an irony, at the end of my academic days in high school I realized that I have wasted all my years in school studying what I didn’t need. that’s is the Experience with most students in Africa. I personally think the school system especially in Africa has to be reviewed.
Thanks for sharing your story Buji
I agree, the school system need to be reviewed and we need a mindset shift to embrace the new world order.
I completely agree with you on this article. Its 100% spot on. This has been highlighted and spoken about for years by many open minded individuals who have come to the realisation that the current education system doesn’t prepare individuals to face the real world.
However since we have been talking about that for years now, has there been any attempt or effort towards revolutionising the current education system? Its good to highlight it for everyone to be aware but have we proposed a different system where all the highlighted issues have been addressed and resolved?
The current education system has probably been imposed on us by certain people who had an idea, imagination as well as a plan of action.
Shouldn’t we do the same with a new idea of an updated/upgraded education system?
Food for thought.
Thanks for your valuable input Nathan
Certainly something needs to be done. Talking alone won’t yield the desired results.
Hi Nicky
I sometimes say ” what alternative do we have that dont need the goverment”, sadly, i am battling to find an answer. for now, we need schools for what they actually teach, reading , writing, discipline to study , etc. and from there, we as parents need to take over and try and fill the gaps, obvious not many can but those who can, really must give they children the extras missing from schools.