I sat in on a class at a state primary school recently. I have been a severe critic of state education and I remain so. But I aim to be honest even when evidence appears that is against me. I have to say that the class I saw was nothing but exemplary.
There were 30 children in it. They were attentive. The teacher was respectful of them but also maintained his authority. The class was designed to help them look critically at their own compositions and improve on them. That seems to me a worthwhile thing to do and it was very well done.
It is true that the teacher knew well in advance that I was coming. So perhaps I got a better lesson than average. But I am not inclined to be sceptical. Most of the class was interactive and it would have been difficult to 'fix' a good class of that sort.
State education has been, in my view, a terrible mistake. But it is fair to say that sometimes there are genuinely excellent classes.
Posted by James Bartholomew • Indexed in Education
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The quality of schools, state or otherwise, still reflects the teachers and pupils. While I am generally in agreement with you - the welfare state is a failure and has corrupted values - there are still sectors of society uncorrupted and their schools do a decent job. But in this country - NZ - the best state schools are still in the higher socio-economic areas and if you can't afford to live there, your children can't attend due to 'zoning'. That is the real tragedy. A recent survey showed around 1 in 4 children at the poorest schools arrived incapable of learning due to their chaotic home lives being largely about personal survival - getting from one day to the next. You can bet they come out of welfare dependent homes.
Posted by: Lindsay at December 22, 2006 09:27 PM
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I do appreciate the honesty of your reporting, but remain to be entirely convinced.
From someone who perfected the art of feigning attentiveness for a period of approximately six years.
Posted by: Carlotta at December 22, 2006 08:38 PM