Monday, 5 May 2014

Why There Are So Many Problems With Public Education

By Essie Osborn


It is interesting to note that every successful society boats a sophisticated and advanced educational system. Most parents realize that the best way to ensure the future of their children is to enroll them at the best school possible. These days, however, problems with public education seem to make the headlines almost weekly. Teachers, parents and other concerned citizens say that the system is failing society as a whole.

One of the biggest challenges to the teaching fraternity has been to recruit suitable potential teachers. Applications for this career have plummeted and many experienced teachers are leaving the profession. This poses a very large challenge to the system. There are simply not enough teachers and experienced teachers are in extremely short supply. If this trend continues the issue may just become critical.

Many studies have shown that the upkeep of government schools is a very big problem. Buildings are not maintained properly, bathrooms are a disgrace and sports fields are unkempt because there is simply not enough money in the budget to conduct proper maintenance programs. Students and faculty alike are demotivated when they have to make do with dilapidated facilities. Of course, this demotivation only leads to even lower standards and achievements.

Government schools simply cannot keep pace of developments the way private schools can. They do not have the funds and the facilities to keep abreast of the latest technology and educational methodology. Teachers have to cope with very little or no teaching aids. In addition, the lack of proper facilities results in very large classes where it is impossible for teachers to pay individual attention to every learner.

Experts agree that one of the biggest challenges facing schools is the serious lack of discipline. It is no longer just a matter of learners not doing their homework. Many schools have experience violence by some of their learners. Some teachers even admit to be scared of some of their students. No school can hope to offer a quality curriculum if the student body is not disciplined and willing to learn.

Many parents are not involved with the schooling their children receive. In some cases they simply cannot be bothered, but many others are simply too busy to become involved with the school. This is especially the case in poorer areas where parents have to hold down more than one job to keep the wolves from the door. If parents are not involved, the school suffers.

It is a sad fact that many learners graduating from government schools do not even contemplate further learning. In some cases their results are too poor to allow them to apply for college admittance and in many other cases they simply do not see the value of getting a college qualification. In this way the problem is perpetuated and the school system suffers even more.

The schooling system plays a vital role in the overall health and wealth of any society. It is in the interest of everybody to make sure that the system works properly, that schools are adequately funded and that teachers are able to do their work in the best possible conditions. The educational system should be one of the highest priorities at all levels of government.




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