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

I’m afraid that almost all modern careers need maths. Some “jobs” don’t need maths…but most careers do. I do understand though that what is almost certainly needed is some motivation as to why we are learning certain maths principles. I think this would help young learners to make the connection and see the importance of it

Doesn't matter the level it is still using algebra in daily life which Dave here says that he never does.

Dave?

No I did it to Higher level as I went to school in Scotland. Everyone who stayed on past 16 at my school did maths of some form in 5th year, at intermediate level if they weren’t at the level to go for a higher in it.

You still haven't answered the question, what do you think they should be learning if Maths etc are all useless. What are the useful things they should be learning that don't require any of the current subjects?

Dunno your name pal so Dave it is!

But why does maths - or indeed any subject - have to be relevant to a career? I did maths (maths and further maths) because I loved it. I found it both immensely satisfying and, at times, totally beautiful. I studied an entirely pointless subject at university, again because I loved it and it inspired me. Learning for the sake of learning is a wonderful thing. I

(I do totally accept that not everyone feels the same way about maths as I do!)

Oh well I guess there won't be any school reform for a while, and we will carry on doing the same things that we have done for ages.

Yep that’s what everyone who pointed out maths/algebra is useful meant.

Why do you not want kids to learn to think and be able to think critically to solve problems? Surely that is a basic life skill that maths teaches them.

If 4 year olds can do algebra then I am sure you can!

Same 😂😂 I always cook far too much

Are you in the UK? If you are, you had a choice though?

I had no choice, I had to study maths. It's mandatory in ROI until leaving school.

Maybe being forced to do maths, has also led to my dislike of maths.

It's the same with my cousins. They are forced to do maths, so they hate it.

I can’t believe people think maths is useless. It’s insane that you cannot see the countless benefits of learning and practising maths

I studied in Ireland up to 16 then in
uk so I have experience of both systems. Yes a-levels is only 3/4 subjects but they are done to a really in dept level. So you do more subjects in Ireland but the amount of study is really the same. Both systems have their pros and cons. If anything I prefer the Irish system as it’s more varied.

Algebra is problem solving and develops skills around it, that is important as a transferable skill and ability

But what would you have people study instead!

I think to some extent you’re bang on the money …school reform is definitely needed. But I think we should be dropping lots of other subjects and adding more maths 🤣🤣

You use algebra everyday.

A-D×4+B=
Apples - discount x 4 + Bananas = Cost

Maths also mandatory in the UK to 16

I think the best thing parents can give their kids is a range of options. They go to school, learn lots of stuff, and then when they’re 16 they can decide what they want to do. The education they’ve had up to that point gives them a foundation on which to build whatever they want - A levels, college, university, apprenticeship, SAHP, own business - whatever they want.

If you start to narrow their options down to what you perceive as being useful, in your life, then you’re closing doors to them before they’ve even become adults.

I’ve always told my kids that I don’t mind what career pathways they choose eventually, but they need to keep as many doors open as possible for as long as possible, because no one knows what kids might suddenly get interested in.

I disagree.

I've looked at A-Level past papers, and they don't look like they have any more depth than Irish Leaving certificate papers.

In fact, I looked at an A Level Biology past exam paper, and it looked much, much easier than an Irish Leaving certificate Biology paper.

So I think that teenagers in Ireland do a lot more study than teenagers in England.

Ireland has the most educated population in the world (the most degrees and higher qualifications per head) so the eduction system must be doing something right.

You likely don't like it as you were not taught to understand it. You were taught to get an answer and follow a procedure.

You followed a procedure got an answer and did that page after page after page. If you forget the procedure then you cannot ever answer the question or if the questions deviate from what you have page after page of then again you cannot follow the procedure so come unstuck.

In 1982 the gov were told not to teach that way but they carried on. Now they have changed it so they finally teach understanding the concept. They make the children see the maths, explore it and manipulate things. Being able to draw or represent and explain what the question asks shows more understanding that writing the answer. If a child can represent 3y + 5 = 35 then they show understanding. If they get an answer of 10 then that doesn't show an understanding.

As I say I have never skied but I have seen someone ski so I can explain what you would do to be able to ski and I could draw a representation of it and explain it to someone as I have seen it.

You were taught procedural understanding. Now we teach conceptual understanding.

Well they don’t! I know I studied in both (never mind my experience guess you and your cousins know better)

and again!! What do you suggest as an alternative to maths, what’s more valuable

Not true. A strong understanding of algebra is very useful for accountancy