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

You are coming across now as having a bit of your chip on your shoulder. Value yourself and your work. I think you are seeing criticism where there is none. I am sure you do a great job and seem to care about your students. Other people’s view here don’t matter.

How did he manage getting A Levels, a degree in History and getting through minimum legal requirements for teaching with no GCSE in English or English Literature?

I agree with @CushionNeck @Suflan – you are seeing criticism when it is not intended, or at any rate ramping it up. I cannot see where you have been called stupid, no one has said your colleagues have no qualifications, no one has said you know nothing about the curriculum.

I am sure you do know something about the curriculum.

But when you question how maths is ever used in jobs after school then I cannot agree. As I said, and as have others, I use maths on a daily in my creative role. I didn't take it for A level but that doesn't nean I don't use what I did learn in school.

You also question why we still study Shakespeare's plays – how about, because we are lucky enough in the UK to have arguably the greatest writer ever producing his work in this country? Plays that date back more than 400 years and yet are so relevant in their themes that they are still performed to sold-out houses today? Plays that. perhaps without knowing it, you probably quote every week. Plays that examine the human condition in so many ways. Yes they are not easy to read; but all the more reason to be happy when you get something out of one, when you watch it and enjoy it.

I don’t agree with very much of what you say (tho I do think it’s poor that teachers are forced to teach out of their subject) but you are entitled to say it. Just, some of your comments don’t paint you in the best light, unfortunately.

Btw teachers in state schools in England at least have to have PGCE. If they don’t, and they are teaching, it is in an unqualified teacher role. And yes, teaching ESL, and the qualifications needed to do so, is not the same as teaching in secondary. And yes again, of course teachers improve and develop their skills as they go through their career. Like most jobs really.

Just a heads up for people posting here, the UK curriculum is under review and changes such as those suggested by the OP are on the table - though there is a lack of clarity about what exactly is on the table as the latest I heard after being challenged, they started to talk about "small changes now, big changes as time goes on". It is being marketed as being "inclusive" for women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ but what has been suggested so far has been patronising, progressive anti academic, wanting to change history at whim without research. In relation to maths I have read comments along the lines of "maths was invented by white privileged men [it wasn't but they don't let facts get in the way of the narrative] and so why should we force children to accept that 2 plus 2 can't be 5 if they want it to be". The initial review of the changes to the curriculum was published not long ago, and the second part which reviews changes to subject matter is underway and due to be published in the Autumn

There are a group of posters on MN who argue very forcibly along the lines of the OP and it comes across almost like an agenda driven narrative, from a funded lobby group!

OP I think that the Irish curriculum sounds amazing and should be introduced into the UK. You think the opposite along with others and perhaps you are part of the group which thinks that education for normal people needs to be dumbed down for political reasons? I lived through the first phase of this decades ago - education was stopped at my school because it apparently stopped creativity - it was disastrous. Education opens doors and the higher the level of education is across the board, the better it is for each individual and the country as a whole.

You can have a good level of education and also be creative. You can have a good level of education and play computer games if you so wish, though teens can be negatively affected by screen time so it is probably best the violent ones are set aside until they are older.

Just a heads up for people posting here, the UK curriculum is under review and changes such as those suggested by the OP are on the table

The ENGLISH curriculum is up for review. Wales and Scotland have their own.

Sorry, and thanks for correcting.