Mmm, I think educational systems the world over are declining. In Ireland the government is cutting funding to colleges and secondary schools (Americans read: high schools) to focus on primary schools (Americans read: grade schools) which would be fine by me, IF THEY WERE TEACHING THE KIDS THINGS THAT WERE WORTH KNOWING.
They're focussing on arts and music and stuff like that, which is fine, except that the standards in core subjects like maths have disappeared. There was also meant to be a new science curriculum, which somehow doesn't seem to have materialised.
My cousin (she's about eight) thinks she is the smartest person in her class, because she can name all the countries who just joined the EU and most of their capitals. That's a pretty impressive accomplishment for a kid, but still, it shouldn't be the standard by which she is judged. (The whole best-in-the-class thing is because her parents are fucked up people.)
no subject
They're focussing on arts and music and stuff like that, which is fine, except that the standards in core subjects like maths have disappeared. There was also meant to be a new science curriculum, which somehow doesn't seem to have materialised.
My cousin (she's about eight) thinks she is the smartest person in her class, because she can name all the countries who just joined the EU and most of their capitals. That's a pretty impressive accomplishment for a kid, but still, it shouldn't be the standard by which she is judged. (The whole best-in-the-class thing is because her parents are fucked up people.)