06-12-2013, 05:46 PM
1
Academics?
This morning, before our window fitters turned up, I briefly caught up with Question Time, which had been postponed from last night.The very first question was concerning education and as they had Mary Beard on board it went to her to answer first.
Now I know I may not be up to the level of these high-flying superstar academics but the questioner made a specific reference to PISA Tests and South Korea's high rating compared to the UK but what did the fragrant Mary Beard spout in response?
In her response, TWICE she mentioned academic achievements in Shanghai, (in Eastern CHINA!), and gave the standard political stock non-answer to the question, exonerating those of her ilk, as per usual!
Maybe it's just me but do academics really live on another planet, along with politicians - or what?!! stevmk2
stevmk2
06-12-2013, 08:06 PM
4
Re: Academics?
She's a bit of an oddball isn't she Steve. I was a bit thrown by her response as well. I do think we could do with a bit of their drive and work ethic but I would not want to see children lose their childhood quite that much!Edited to add: I can't remember who the chap was sitting to the left (of the screen) but I thought he made some very relevant points; as usual, you could ignore almost anything the politicians said and (ready Julie?) class it as drivelsome.
07-12-2013, 05:13 PM
7
Re: Academics?
Originally Posted by ben-varrey
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She's a bit of an oddball isn't she Steve. I was a bit thrown by her response as well. I do think we could do with a bit of their drive and work ethic but I would not want to see children lose their childhood quite that much!Edited to add: I can't remember who the chap was sitting to the left (of the screen) but I thought he made some very relevant points; as usual, you could ignore almost anything the politicians said and (ready Julie?) class it as drivelsome.
08-12-2013, 12:33 PM
8
Re: Academics?
Originally Posted by Jem
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Children are the future of any Country and their education has to be top priority, fail in that and the future of the Country is in trouble, that's my opinion.
After all, the most potent form of control ever invented so far was getting the 'man-in-the-street' working for a living!
Running slaves will cost YOU money whereas you can ignore employees and claim they control their lives!
It's the result of capitalism. stevmk2
09-12-2013, 06:20 AM
9
Re: Academics?
As a high school teacher of over 40 years, I agree with you about the results of full blown capitalism, stev.The countries which have the best educational outcomes, ARE all now in South-East Asia. While it may sound like the stock answer, it is true. The question of what we can do (both the UK and here in Australia) to change that is not easily answerable by anyone. There is no quick fix, no simple on-a-plate answer and money won't fix it either.
Western society has changed so dramatically over the last few decades that almost nothing short of revolution will fix it. Poor parenting, lower values and morals, bad behaviour, lack of respect for authority or elders, the current self-centred, self-interested generation, the pressures of technology, TV and the media. Change all those and we might get results more like south-east Asia, perhaps without quite the pressures put on children there. But a bit more discipline and order wouldn't hurt.
09-12-2013, 08:40 PM
10
Re: Academics?
Originally Posted by stevmk2
->
This morning, before our window fitters turned up, I briefly caught up with Question Time, which had been postponed from last night.The very first question was concerning education and as they had Mary Beard on board it went to her to answer first.
Now I know I may not be up to the level of these high-flying superstar academics but the questioner made a specific reference to PISA Tests and South Korea's high rating compared to the UK but what did the fragrant Mary Beard spout in response?
In her response, TWICE she mentioned academic achievements in Shanghai, (in Eastern CHINA!), and gave the standard political stock non-answer to the question, exonerating those of her ilk, as per usual!
Maybe it's just me but do academics really live on another planet, along with politicians - or what?!! stevmk2
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