Traditionalism Vs. Individualism
Education; it has been around since the beginning of time. Whether children were taught by their parents, or they were privileged enough to be able to attend class, schooling has always existed. By law, today’s school system forces children to attend school till they reach the age of sixteen; many continue much longer. The traditional public school system was created during the industrial revolution and is the backbone of today’s school structure and functionality. This system is filled with state standards and core classes that students are obligated to take year after year. This creates a strict, recurring “cookie-cutter” system. By squandering its student’ individualism and creativity, the modern day school system leaves its students helpless in the real world. To contrast this, structure of primary schools should be altered to form a collegial-style structure, which allows and supports individualism and creativity.
When first entering school, children are unique individuals with open minds and vast ideas, but the education system treats every child the same, ignoring their individual needs. They are unable to learn what they are personally interested in, and instead are forced to take dull standard classes. Students also learn very young that there is one way to do well in each of these subjects; one way to write an essay, and one way to solve a math problem leaving little room for new ideas. Learning this lessens student’s creativity, because they are never forced to come up with new ideas. Personal learning styles whether that is visual, or hands on are completely ignored; it is more important for educators to teach a group of children instead of focusing on what’s best for each individual child and their education. The school system today molds children into the same people, teaching them to sit down, raise their hand, and