To argue that all one needs from school is the three "Rs" is disingenuous to the max, and I can only hope that it was meant ironically. People who have "mastered" the three "Rs" are then placed in a world where agendas (ex. marketing) underlie every bit of literature they read and every bit of math that they are presented with (ex. subprime loans). They need to write intelligently, not just to score the job at the local Payless that will feed and clothe them until retirement, but to be capable of organizing and expressing their thoughts.
Although it is certainly true that we don't all need university educations it is equally true that we do need to have an ability to understand context, as well as content, and that this is something that most people cannot grasp without some form of advanced education.
The point of education, at least in Canada, is not just to produce smart shoe salesmen but to nurture citizens so they are capable of participating in our robust democracy. Our national life is full choices and challenges that only an educated body politic is adequately equipped to address.
No comments:
Post a Comment