Once, there was education…

26 Responses to Once, there was education…

1. Darin says:

   January 18, 2012 at 00:22

   Great article,my father is old enough to have attended one of the last one-room school houses in Ohio.Teachers today complain if they have 20 students in a class,all studying for the same grade.When he went it was 60+ from K through 12.They ALL learned to read,write and do arithmetic and went on to successful lives.

   I’m nearing 41,and even in my short time I have seen education horribly eroded.The absolute psychobabble and mush they put in these kids heads to day is shameful.
   • KG says:

     January 18, 2012 at 00:56

     I looked at some old American high school exam papers from the 1800’s Darin, and there are plenty of university graduates today who would be struggling to pass.
     • Darin says:

       January 18, 2012 at 04:56

       Heh I’ve seen stuff from the 1970’s they couldn’t pass today
       Our colleges and universities are like the Special Olympics these days,everybody gets a degree.
2. Katie says:

   January 18, 2012 at 01:42

   Those were the days in which History (Not Cultural Anthropology) was taught. When a young man or woman was required to learn to read, write, do arithmetic (not mathematics). When cursive writing was taught (it is not taught now) and handwriting was important.

   Today is the curse of PC and Self-Esteem. Heaven forbid any child be left behind, you might hurt his or her self-esteem. Must teach the mantra:
   Black skin good.
   White skin bad.
   Jew worse of all.

   Today’s students believe their shit doesn’t stink and the world revolves around them.

   No wonder they shit on cars.
   • Robertvdl says:

     January 18, 2012 at 04:04

     I saw a better one on TV but can’t find it at the moment.

     South Korea Education System
     http://youtu.be/CP6S4pSYd5o

     I love my father’s handwriting. You don’t see that kind of writing any more.
     • Darin says:

       January 18, 2012 at 04:50

       Wait a minute,that kid has a Mother (female) and a Father (male) and his Mother stays home and sees to it he is fed and clothed and off to school while his Father works.The kids in that class are paying attention and the teacher is actually teaching them valuable knowledge instead of indoctrinating them with leftist drivel?How weird
       • KG says:

         January 18, 2012 at 06:52

         Sounds like a weird setup to me. Subversive, even.
3. Flashman says:

   January 18, 2012 at 03:54

   The Daily Mail comments that go with this article are very interesting.
   • KG says:

     January 18, 2012 at 06:51

     They are, Flash. Very illuminating.
4. George says:

   January 18, 2012 at 06:55

   What a beautifully written article. A window on the eager curiosity of a young mind that responds to challenge.
   • KG says:

     January 18, 2012 at 07:33

     And that’s the thing, isn’t it George? Most kids are naturally curious and capable of some surprising things. It’s more a case of letting them learn, rather than making them.
     But the indispensable pre-condition is discipline, otherwise those who want to learn are kneecapped by those who don’t.
5. WAKE UP says:

   January 18, 2012 at 07:58

   Heard an interesting phrase recently: “helicopter parents”. They’re always hovering, won’t leave the kids alone (to explore, take risks etc).
6. jonno1 says:

   January 18, 2012 at 08:23

   Slightly off topic, but I’m pleased to say that my 6 y/o grand-daughter broke her wrist on the weekend falling off a flying fox. She wasn’t fazed by it either. I’m sure you understand that I’m not an uncaring grand-dad, quite the opposite in fact. All my grand-children are go-getters so there are bound to be some scrapes. I, on the other hand, didn’t break a bone till 2010 when I fell off my Segway (for the nth time, but that time broke my ankle in three places, resulting in a very odd angle of attachment).
7. KG says:

   January 18, 2012 at 08:28

   Good for her. I bet she’s pretty proud of the cast, Jonno.
   • jonno1 says:

     January 18, 2012 at 08:56

     She certainly is, KG
     • Darin says:

       January 18, 2012 at 09:30

       Segway?Those things are death traps

       Epic Segway fail!

       http://youtu.be/6oExGiu2WZE
       • jonno1 says:

         January 18, 2012 at 09:46

         As an engineer it’s my sworn duty to test the limits of all machines, whether Segway or BMW. (The Segway is my contribution to saving the world from climate change haha).
         PS Be very careful if you have the opportunity to ride one, as you’ll then want one for yourself – I did, anyway.
         • jonno1 says:

           January 18, 2012 at 09:51

           PPS Mind you, they’re a lot cheaper in the US which is where I believe you’re based Darin. Here they start at $NZ13k ($US10.5k).
           • Darin says:

             January 18, 2012 at 10:37

             Yes horribly expensive and doesn’t burn Fossil Fuel,two stikes against it in my view
             • jonno1 says:

               January 18, 2012 at 13:49

               Good one Darin, but easy to park. And I did mention that the Beemer keeps up the fossil fuel use (with a vengeance).
8. Robertvdl says:

   January 18, 2012 at 09:54

   So Ron Paul is the only one that had good education.

   http://youtu.be/3hXW6TjBeCY
9. WAKE UP says:

   January 18, 2012 at 10:36

   The Segway is probably the least neccessary thing that has been invented in the last fifty years
   • jonno1 says:

     January 18, 2012 at 13:52

     Ah, but lots of fun. Another (cheaper) option is the Yike Bike. And who said everything has to be necessary anyway?
10. Robertvdl says:

    January 18, 2012 at 21:10

    Scientists want climate change in young minds

    The organization of scientists, anthropologists and others is turning its attention to climate change, and it will mount an aggressive effort to teach the nation’s schoolchildren that climate change is real and is being driven by human activity.

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/16/scientists-want-climate-change-young-minds/
11. andy5759 says:

    January 19, 2012 at 04:46

    I came close to weeping when reading that DM article. This tragic destruction of a generation should have us storming the “palaces” with pitchforks and flaming torches. In fact I have a feeling it won’t be long now…
    • KG says:

      January 19, 2012 at 08:07

      “This tragic destruction of a generation should have us storming the “palaces” with pitchforks and flaming torches..”
      In fact it’s several generations now, Andy, isn’t it? And I just don’t understand the lack of rage about this.
      Maybe it’s too late, perhaps those who realise that kids have been betrayed and short-changed are too few, because parents of young children now are themselves products of modern indoctrination centres skools.