Tower and Town, May 2017 (view the full edition)Education In A New World"Men are born ignorant, not stupid; they are made stupid by education". So said Bertrand Russell but the one thing we all have in common is some experience of education, good or bad. As we head towards the third decade of this century it seems that the only thing which is constant is change. The effect of this on each generation is to make them more quizzical and reflective. They realise that new opportunities are infinite in a world where schools prepare their pupils for jobs which may not even exist. Equally, the concept of them holding a single career has become increasingly unlikely. School life continues to be taken up with examinations and the pressures associated with measuring success. Nevertheless, the growth of new technology and an emphasis on "right brained" thinking would seem to be essential in the next phase of educational requirement. That said, there is still a huge need for traditionally backed subjects. We neglect the classics, art, archaeology and especially modern languages at our peril. It is heartening to see that the sale of traditional books is on the rise once again. As ever the best education comes from being a blend of old and new; something in constant flux. Where a healthy balance of traditional curriculum and a wealth of extra-curricular activities exists then the greatest gift of all is realised. That is the growth of the whole person. Character will emerge; the basis of moving beyond those aspects of education where Russell felt stupefied. It may be that conventional education is finding it hard to keep up with what is needed in the workplace. Nonetheless, a well-rounded experience where young people have a rigorous work ethic can still be the basis for an engaged and fulfilling life. Children are all creative and when that spark is found, then has been achieved that balance of a sound educational background that will be of inestimable value in the new world. Jonathan Leigh |