School and society
Some students absolutely abhor the concept of schooling. In fact, most children do. This is probably because they do not grasp the concept of schooling and its vitality for their well-being. Most children only understand the importance of school long after they have graduated and have had children of their own, then it is their children’s turn to dislike school. This ongoing cycle is impossible to stop based on teenage temperaments and adolescent emotions. It is easy to contain, however, by incorporating activities that give the illusion of learning as a fun concept. Education is significant because it creates the foundation for gaining knowledge. It allows people to develop their perceptions regarding certain issues in society and to have attitudes towards these issues. Education is not the only means of acquiring knowledge, but it helps students to recognize the areas in which they desire to attain knowledge. It does a lot to assist in the retention of the knowledge. Education is not just about being book smart but it enables one to become street smart, as well. Education is crucial because it cultivates values and merits in students. Teachers guide their students toward a straight path for the purposes of thriving even after they complete school by punishing them whenever they stray. A nation characterized by illiteracy usually has high levels of poverty and low economic standings. Some countries even list education as a basic need for all children (Ballanitine, 2008) .Education is an ongoing process, and it does not necessarily have to take place in a classroom. Education allows children to understand society and it structures. It is in schools that introduces children to a system of order and rules on a large scale. Like society, a school has systems of authority in place that follows a certain hierarchy where the headmaster or mistress is top of the chain, and the rest of the teachers follow. Refusal to acknowledge this authority leads to punishment. The schools shape the children’s attitudes in the outside world. Those that cause trouble in school often become troublesome citizens even after school. The schools mould the students for entry in society. It teaches them how to associate with people of different ethnicities and different believes as theirs. In a way, the school system is a smaller version of the outside world.
The school system is an integral part of society. Society cannot thrive without the schools and the educational factor that comes with them. The department of education and the government should do everything to reinforce the relationships between society and schools. Society often dictates the curriculum in schools based on the values and traditions of that society. This allows the learner to adhere to the same values and traditions once the learner leaves school. In an attempt to integrate societies into the school system, many schools have programs like field trips to teach their students about key areas of their society. This acculturates students to their societies. It is vital for schools to keep up with society as it is constantly changing its perspective toward certain field or areas.
Schools especially those of the public nature are not without their criticisms from the very society that the schools attempt to emulate. Public schools are vital because they provide education to children that cannot afford the private kind. Quality public education is rare to find because of disgruntled teachers, inadequate resources such as labs and fields and poor learning environment. The relevant authorities should seek to improve the conditions in public schools for integration of its students in a democratic society. Many public schools are open to children of varying diversities. Some children have parents that are of better economic standing compared to others while some are from different ethnic backgrounds. Other discrepancies in the school system include sexual orientations, where some are straight and some, are gay, different religious orientations where there is the existence of Muslims, Jews, Christians and Buddhists. Most schools even have children with different kinds of disabilities. These schools have to be equipped with the tools and expertise to deal with these disparities. Teachers should first communicate to their students that differences exist in all communities. It is easier to embrace these differences than take them as inhibitions. People, even teachers respond differently to these diversities. They are after all human and have the right to have their opinions. However, the manner in which students and teachers handle these discrepancies have effects especially on the children in the long term. Take for instance, a gay student. Most encounter bullying and mistreatment from students over something they cannot control. The school should create mechanisms that allow these students to prosper. For example, they could try to create clubs that spread tolerance of all people. They could also encourage students to take part in more co-curricular activities that demonstrate to other students that they too are members of society regardless of the things that make them appear unique (Pensylvannia, 1995).
These steps may appear trivial, but they go a long way to offering long-term solutions. The schools should also foster discussions among the students and the teachers regarding the discriminatory issues. The way in which parents handle the differences in people also contribute to shaping the thoughts and opinions of their children. Children learn form an early age through observation and listening. Children adopt the negative remarks they hear from their parents. The kids then go on to influence their friends, and if this remains uncontrolled, it may give rise to a mob mentality. The schools should therefore do everything to encourage parents to watch what they say especially in the presence of their children. Adults are not impervious to their own opinions, but they should allow their children to form their own without enforcing their beliefs. Children today are becoming increasingly tolerant compared to their parents when they were the same age.
Parents of children that subjected to discriminatory remarks could consider different alternatives concerning their education. There are options available such as home schooling and private education. These options are also open to children that undergo learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Parents have the power to control their children’s education because the children are not mentally capable to make their own decisions. They are also more experience life wise and know what is best for their children. Sometimes the decisions they make may not be appropriate for the child and end up doing more damage than good. Children are not mere extensions of their parents and parents should not force them into situations that they do not want. Parents should listen to their children then base their schooling decisions on experiences and preferences of the child. Children forced into schooling situation they do not want tend to rebel against the parents. They could end up being nuisances in their schools and consequently their communities.
The education system is not without its controversies. For example, teachers should strive to integrate recent activities in to their curriculum. There are no established guidelines as to how to deal with certain controversial issues. For example, most schools that teach sexual education only teach about sexual relations between the male and female form. It does not provide teachings for students that have lesbian or gay orientations. The schools cannot continue to ignore that sex is not as black and white as it used to be. They should come up with a way to disseminate information to students that have different sexual orientation. They also have the right to learn of ways in which they can protect themselves from harmful diseases. Another potentially controversial issue is the one regarding cloning, human or otherwise. Teachers should be cautious in the manner in which they approach such issues. It could prove sensitive to children whose religions do not allow cloning. How then do teachers include such a topic in the curriculum without offending their students or angering their parents? Some books in the curriculum also discuss supernatural content that may be too controversial but necessary for the students. The departments of education in various towns should discuss these issues at length to enable students to receive quality education. How teachers handle these issues may ultimately affect the students in the process of integrating them in the society (Pensylvannia, 1995).
In the past, student teacher relationships were extremely formal. The teacher was present to disperse the information and students were there simply to learn. Over time, however the relationships between teachers and students have evolved to be more flexible. The relationships are formal but not too formal that the student finds a teacher unapproachable. Teachers considered as strict are more strict illicit fear instead of respect. Schools are designed as extensions of the society and vice versa. Some students often feel that they can discuss issues in their lives with teachers. This is because they are part of a student’s life and students form connections of trust with their favorite teachers. Some students have misconstrued the relationships they have with their teachers as being passionate when they are not. A teacher should approach such an instance with the delicateness it deserves without ruining the student’s view towards love or relationships. Teachers should also encourage their students whenever necessary in order to allow them to reach their full potential and become valued members of society. Consequently, the manner in which parents and teachers handle students and children go a long way in determining the members of society they become. Teachers that have paid close attention to their students often receive recognition from the very students in the future. Some people may look down on public education, but it provides values and experiences that prepare students for integration in the democratic world. This is because they often have shared values and beliefs that are similar to a nation’s public. Most students do not achieve success in spite of public education. They realize success because of it.
References
Ballantine, J. H., & Spade, J. Z. (2008). Schools and society: A sociological approach
to education. Los Angeles: Pine Forge Press.
Pennsylvania School Boards Association. (1995). “Why public education is important
to me, my community and the future of America”. New Cumberland, Penn: Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
