Anne's Views on Education

They're pretty radical: if they were bland, they would not be worth posting, would they?

1. I do believe that it is a natural right for children to have opportunities to learn.

2. However, I do not believe in compelling that learning in any way, shape or form. (I fully endorse the view of A.S. Neill that children are naturally self-motivated to learn when left free to do so on their own terms. This view is backed up by my own experiences as a student, as a teacher and as a parent.)

3. I am firmly opposed to compulsory schooling while accepting that this is how our society currently functions. Indeed, I view such compulsion as inherently abusive and on a par with "culturally justified" forms of physical abuse such as circumcision and foot-binding.

4. I have considered home schooling for my son but this is an alternative that is too expensive in terms of social isolation. In addition, home schooling still ties the child to a prescribed curriculum.

5. I am adamantly opposed to tying a child's learning to a prescribed curriculum. Children should be FREE to learn (in any area) when they are ready to do so, whether this be earlier or later, and even not at all. In line with this view, I see the School Certificate as totally irrelevant since it is imposed and not chosen.

6. Experience has taught me that regular class attendance is boring and grossly inefficient as a learning path. Theo has always learnt best by teaching himself, by watching how others perform tasks, and especially by following his own inclinations and passions. Theo has a strong drive to learn in this way. True, this is an outstanding feature of gifted children, but I believe it to be true across the board.

7. I know - without any doubt - that most of Theo's learning will occur in his own time and on his own terms. I expect very little from the current education system, but I will fight hard to achieve a minimum standard of well-being for Theo. I expect him to enjoy the social life at school at the very least - if nothing else.

8. Again, experience has taught me that this social enjoyment can be threatened not only by regular bullies and unruly peers (who are justifiably angry at the denial of natural justice that compulsory schooling implies) but mainly by the adult tyrants who would have students "tow the line" in everything from where you can be at any time, what you can do, but most of all: what you can wear.

9. I am adamantly opposed to the enforcement of a school uniform and especially of any punishment meted out for non-compliance. After all: who is hurt when the uniform is not worn? No one. So, why hurt the child? I bitterly resent having to send Theo to a "uniform school" which punishes such victimless crimes. However, to my knowledge, there is no alternative within a practical distance from where we live.

10. Finally, I believe that the current (Feb 2000) industrial unrest in the education sector is a sign of cracks appearing within the system. It's time for change but neither teachers, nor parents, nor the community at large, understand what the real issues are:

    They are not about dollars and cents.
    They are about educational empowerment for our children and vocational empowerment for teachers: the two go together.

    Deep in the heart of every true teacher, there is a resonant chord that would tremble in tune with every word I've written.