Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Following on from my own post Term-Time Holidaying & The Education System please check out the above talk by Sir Ken Robinson. (Thanks T-Bird)
Don’t forget to come back and share your views.
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I think the title is a little harsh, perhaps after speaking to a ‘real’ teacher I can see how difficult the job is, however, I strongly believe that that the points Sir Ken makes are valid. We do have a subject hierarchy that is difficult to justify at a time when the variety of jobs available is vast, the pay-off, both financially and emotionally if you succeed in a non-academic field is huge. I’m thinking sports person, actor, artist, musician…..
I think it is our responsibility as parents to nurture and encourage non academic subjects and interests. We have to accept that schools can’t ‘do it all’, we need to plug the gaps, as a partnership, we can encourage our children to succeed in any area they wish.
yes, schools can’t do it all but (in the UK at least) an awful lot of families just don’t have the option to deal with it either. In order to maintain the lifestyle we were sold in the 80′s and 90′s both parents have to work, meaning children are in “wrap around care” (what an awful term!) from Breakfast club at 7:30 am to after school club til 6pm when someone can pick them up. No idea what the solution to that is, doesn’t seem terribly fair though somehow.
I think your rather wonderful school system where teachers are facilitators rather than being forced to teach the test would “cure” an awful lot of what Sir Ken is pointing out. In the mean time we are stuck with one size (apparently) fits all education and many very gifted and talented children lost in the system as their strengths aren’t neatly pigeonholed in National Curriculum targets.
Sorry, this sounds a bit negative and I’m not sure that was my original aim. The schools system does have a lot of good points but sadly it’s suffering a bit too.
I still believe that the curriculum needs a shake up, one size certainly does not fit all, apparently there is about to be a shake up with the new curriculum of excellence.
My point is that we can’t lay all the responsibility for our children at the government’s (and school’s) door, we must take it upon ourselves to do what is right (I know that you already do this by homeschooling), we must remember that maintaing the lifestyle is our choice we don’t have to do it, and I for one don’t.
There is always an option, downsizing the home, reducing to one car, cutting the cloth etc etc… Even single parents who work have weekends/days off to take their children to galleries, museums, nature walks etc etc…. I really can’t see an excuse for not investing in our children, it is the essence of why we bring children into the world, to nurture, to procreate for the good of the human race, to leave our legacy in some form.
What is the point if you haven’t got the time and don’t want to make it?
Yes, I agree–I don’t think it’s all the teacher’s job to encourage creativity in my child. Turning off the tv and teaching them a love of learning is my job.