There's a Problem With Education in Australia; Here's How to Solve It

Is this the perfect school?

Student Edge members can submit articles, reviews and opinion pieces inspired by events affecting student life. This opinion piece comes from member Jasmine Lee. Submit your stories here (or contact us directly).

It's part of our innate nature to learn about new ideas. This is where the notion of education began, but is not necessarily where the spirit lies today.

The problem with education is that it does not always value learning; rather, it stresses the importance of performance. Granted, performance is important, but perhaps not above the sheer delight of having known something you did not yesterday.

Education nowadays is focused more on quantitative marks than qualitative experiences. Of course, I appreciate how fortunate I am to even have access to education because I genuinely believe that there are good intentions behind it. However, like anything, it is not perfect.

It would not be an easy or quick fix, but this issue with education could be solved if there was a heavier emphasis on experience and real-world applicability based on individual strengths over a standardised format of ranking students. After all, doing well in school is not the same as being intelligent; every person possesses their own set of unique skills.

So, here are my suggestions:

1. Make schools more than about earning certain marks by establishing a welfare network of counsellors, health experts and caring teachers.

2. Create classes that are focused more on skills that will be applicable in the future, such as finance management, world events and social issues, parenting, mental and sexual health and the workplace environment.

3. Forge connections with sister schools internationally so students can learn the significance of diversity.

4. Staffing is also a major issue at many public schools, meaning that classes are often crowded and impersonal. This is the responsibility of the government, and feepayers, to devote more resources to education, as students are ultimately our legacy.

5. Most importantly, teach students everybody is equal in that we each have our strengths and weaknesses. Remove the pressure that constantly surrounds examinations, focusing more on the actual feedback of how they can improve. Constantly ask for and consider student voices in how classrooms operate.

I say all this with an optimistic heart. I am aware that such changes are drastic, especially if implemented on a wide scale, and may not even be possible considering more practical obstacles like funding. I am also aware that not everybody will agree with my view, and that is to be expected and encouraged.

The most I could ask for—the thing that might honestly "fix" education above all—is encouraging people to be more active in voicing their opinions and dealing with disagreements in an honest and open way.

We can only hope to change society by understanding we all have to cooperate. That, to me, is what education truly is.

Congratulations to Jasmine for winning this writing challenge. Jasmine wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Competitions section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge.

Header Image: iStock.com/noipornpan