- 'What we teach in school, what subjects we encourage in universities and the methods of instruction are all subject to the one overarching test: what do the kids get out of it? And this test soon gives way to another, yet more pernicious in its effect, but no less persuasive in the thinking of educationists: is it relevant? And by “relevant” is invariably meant “relevant to the interests of the kids themselves”.
- 'From these superstitions have arisen all the recipes for failure that have dominated our educational systems: the proliferation of ephemeral subjects, the avoidance of difficulties, methods of teaching that strive to maintain interest at all costs – even at the cost of knowledge.
Discuss!
At least largely true. The notion that education provided must be that which the children can deem relevant has led us far into the weeds of "information". Information is to knowledge as plants are to crops. Scruton has illumined yet another of the flaws in post-modern society.
ReplyDelete