Are our kids tough enough ?

[Manoverboard]

Yeah, well done Xxxxxxx

[Happydays]

Congratulations to your daughter, Onelife

[Onelife]

Thank you all

I will pass on your good wishes

Kind regards

Keith

[wolfie]

I think that one day of the school week should be the choice of the student.

Yes we need our kids to learn the key subjects such as Maths, English and Science but a lot of the school week is taken up by subjects that they are not interested in or wont need in their adult life.

For instance my granddaughter is really into dance and performing arts and would love a whole day dedicated to this subject as she wants to make a career in performing arts, maybe as a teacher.
Another student may want to pursue a career in accountancy or banking so an extra day of maths would suit them.

In my opinion few students finish up in a career where Religious Instruction, Geography, History, Art, PE etc are required qualifications unless they seek employment in those fields.

How many of us have sat through a lesson bored to tears because the subject does not interest us ?, I used to love woodwork and metalwork and was very sporty so much so that I joined after school clubs in all three subjects.

I know that in year 9 students can make a choice what subjects they want to major in but they have had two years doing subjects that are dictated to them. Surely the years spent in junior school can be used to find a students strengths and interests.
I believe in building on a persons ability not ramming unnecessary training down their throats.

Studying all subjects makes for a student well rounded in all areas of study and not just their preferred subjects which may be a very narrow field.

As for a day of the week being down to the choice of the student, you cannot be serious as to any school having the resources and finance to accomplish this with out bringing in outside expertise, for a minority of pupils.

[GillD46]

I think a wider range of subjects is by far best right up to, and including, A levels. Many young people THINK they know the direction they want to take, only to find later that they don't have the necessary subjects when they find they are actually persuing the wrong choice.

More and more schools are now offering the International Baccalaureate, which I think is a great idea. Our son is Head of Maths at an International school in Ho Chi Minh City. They follow the UK guidelines and most of their students take this. A far rounder education. Behaviour is much better out there too.

[Onelife]

Re: subjects taught in schools

Rather than channel a childs education into certain areas I think, especially before further education children should have a wider education base. Things such as finance, politics, debating, cooking, geography (world conflicts) and horse racing would l believe leave children much better placed to cope/understand how the real world works.


Regards

OL