To think the school system is ridiculous

[Suflan]

This post is talking about the school system in the republic of Ireland, but I know that the school system in the UK has some similiatites, so this is also relevant to people in the UK.

I went to school in Ireland a long time ago, 20 years ago.

My younger cousins are just sitting their school leaving certificate (irish equivalent to a levels) this year and they and their friends have been posting about the exams, after it happened, on social media.

I was just thinking what they learn and do exams on is such a load of shite. Like how is it relevant or necessary in todays world at all.

They posted about their maths paper, all the quadratic equations, prove that point 5,1 is on the line etc etc, extremely complicated equations, and algebra.

Like what do you need that for in life? Its so totally pointless. And maths is mandatory to do, so they need points from maths to get into University.

Like what is the point of learning these things. Surely they should be learning something useful. My cousins have said to me that they think that a lot of what they learn is totally pointless too

Two of my kids are going into maths careers, one an actuary, the other not at the point of deciding just yet, but it will be maths, so a lot of it is relevant to them. In the UK, maths would be dropped at 16, so advanced maths only for those selecting it at A level.

Even those who do manage to switch to a vocational stream find it very difficult to find apprenticeships/entry level jobs after. Despite critical skills shortages, every trade job seems to require at least a year of experience

My teacher told us that what we learned was equivalent to a football player training by doing sit ups. You don't do sit ups during the game, but they make you a better and stronger player overall.

What you learn isn't just about what you learn but about reasoning, critical thinking, etc.

But everyone you know is not the same as everyone. People have different experiences. I presume you never liked algebra etc and that's fine. It doesn't mean though that lots of people don't need it and use it in their jobs.

Maths hasn't changed in 100 years as it is still very relevant! A leves are hard for a reason.usually their results are used for deciding which course at Uni. My own DS passed physics, Chemistry and Maths. Found it quite hard.When at uni found it harder! Honestly the current word is very maths/stem based.jobs with STEM subjects are important and usually better paid .I listened to KS on JV yesterday on the radio .KS said teenagers in Suffolk are excited about jobs at the prpopsef new Sizewell Reactor. They will need strong math set for this

I did Julius Caesar for Inter, Hamlet for Leaving, along with Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, The Charwoman's Daughter, Lord Jim. Poetry selection great, actually got poetry book we had for Leaving a few years ago, brilliant. Did Leaving 45 ish
years ago! Also, the Irish language literature was very good, loved Tóraíocht Diarmuid agus Gráinne, Padraic Ó Conaire short stories etc. Also loved Peig tbh🤣.

Maths is incredibly important- in my line of work a decent understanding of maths will quite easily triple your salary.
Project manager - screwed without
PA - absolutely necessary if you want to earn more than 15k a year (our current one is at 50k and will go higher - she’s amazing with budgets, planning etc)
Scientist and engineers: goes without saying
Researchers: absolute necessity
Designers: absolute necessity
and so on

Algebra is probably one of the more useful and relevant parts of Maths. You should have chosen something else to denigrate, OP!

Algebra stretches the brain. Although some people won’t use it in adult life, the skills they learnt by doing it will continue with them and be applicable to other subjects, as well as having developed their brain.

In Scotland there’s Maths, and Applications of Mathematics. The latter is not abstract and can be said it’s slightly easier.

Kids only hate school cos they haven't been to work yet. Then they'll look back and appreciate their 3pm finish and mass amount of holidays😁Seriously though OP, I can see hundreds of uses for algebra as pp have pointed out and I say that as someone who hated maths at school. Do you think other subjects are pointless too or just maths?

I agree with you, no one that I know has had to use any algebra in their life

No it isn't. You use maths in virtually every practical subject. You might not notice it while you are cooking making a dress or putting petrol in the car.

Any scientific study applies statistical analysis to the data collected.

The stats tests used (there are many different ones, the test used depends on the type of data collected) involves equations and arithmetic.

All science involves maths and we definitely need scientists!

There are SO many other ways in this world to learn reasoning and logic other than algebra/quadratics etc!

We are so wedded to this outdated idea that we cannot see how single minded it is.

He clearly doesn't know what algebra is if he doesn't know that he uses it frequently in his daily life.

When he was at school he obviously didn't understand the concept and thinks it is all about letters and if he doesn't see a letter then it can't be algebra.

Everyone uses algebra in adult life!

I don't get why you think this is the 'gotcha' question you think it is, but since you asked me: yes I did. Further Maths too. Given I'd already said I've got a maths degree, somebody with decent deductive reasoning abilities (which maths is good for), wouldn't have needed to ask the question.

Anyhoo, in this wonderful world where all kids' opinions are 'valid' (whatever that means), I've just asked my son what he'd like to do at school. Football and Dude Perfect. A bright future awaits.

It’s not just about logic and reasoning though. It teaches abstraction too, which is an important cognitive skill.

There is nothing wrong with learning for the sake of it. In fact, it should be encouraged.
I also agree with all the comments about algebra and how important it is. Just because I never use it doesn’t mean it’s not essential to others.

The point you're missing OP is the subjects you study and the content of those subjects aren't the most important part of school. What's important is learning how to learn.

If you do that you can turn your brain to anything from algebra to Russian to car maintenance. It's about the discipline of critical thinking, skill acquisition and study.

Carping about how much you hate algebra and Shakespeare demonstrates that you haven't really grasped that most fundamental point about education.

I really don't enjoy maths either because I find it hard but I don't find it hard to understand that its hugely important and that many people get a huge amount of value from it.

You seem very hostile to the idea of learning in general and it really makes me question whether you should be working in education.

Mathematics upgrades the mind, as well as being foundational for many careers:

computer scientist
engineer
actuary
statistical analysis for academic research
economist
scientist
any career where an analytical, logical mindset is required

The OP is implying that anything more than basic maths be optional or not covered in a national curriculum. What would happen in their scenario is that well-off families would ensure their children received tutoring to have access to these careers. Everyone else would be limited in terms of prospects.

So you fail the equivalent of A level maths in Ireland and still study history at uni at s good uni?

Honestly this thread has made me sad. We are so lucky to have the chance to study up until 18. You get the chance to use your brain every day and see where it takes you. As a teen you simply aren’t equipped to make decisions about what may or May not be relevant to you in the future. A good broad education gives the best foundations.
Op I really hope you aren’t telling the kids in your care about how useless it all is. Maybe rethink your career

oh and yes we could shake up education a bit but the basic cornerstones need to stay in place

They were obviously talking about the complex algebra taught in A level maths, not basic maths that a primary school child should be able to do.