Protest
Against The War On Children
In every school, there is a war. Its casualties are children who lose their hopes, innocence, self-respect, and, finally, even their compassion for others. They create a society for us all. The rich and powerful, as usual, are untouched; whilst those in charge are unable to see or admit that their strategy is wrong. Instead they call only for more people, more money, more effort - even, most shamefully, from the children themselves. But this strategy is deeply and irretrievably wrong. I have worked with children for over twenty years. I have watched them fail, discouraged and bewildered. I have shared their dismay. Eventually, I came to share their anger, and then to know disgust at my part in their sacrifice. This strategy is wrong. No amount of money or reinforcements will help. The callous complacency with which this needless waste of young lives is allowed to continue can only be stopped when those with the imagination and courage to do so becoming ashamed of their part in allowing it. Children must not be made to accept instruction which few understand and which only another fraction learn to imitate without actual understanding. The quality of learning must not depend on the quality of teachers. This strategy must change. Let children be taught to take control of learning for themselves. This is so very easy. You can find the method here.
PS:
Why not send a copy of this to your local newspaper?
Colin
Hannaford,
Oxford 25th September 2004
