Maths, science and economics
Took place of Sunday comics
History and English
Saw day dreaming finish
Not sure of a worthwhile use
From school subjects forced upon us
Learnt nothing of budgeting, marriage or life
Mending a car, how to cope with strife!
From my education much was missing
Had more fun with boys kissing
Learnt nothing of values, ethics and ideals
Nothing of survival or how life feels
Essential education would include a kind heart
Meditation and self-expression for a start
That we are responsible for our own choices
Unhealthy to follow fads or others voices
To care for our own inner wealth
Best policy for our own health
That kindness and sharing truly rate
Always be respectful and try not to be late
Most of us get irate
As we struggle to deal with fear and hate
No idea of where to begin
When life’s obstacles send us into a spin
Please can we review
What our education doesn’t do?
Incorporate essentials for life
Especially practical ways to transform strife!
26.3.2006 … what did you learn?
aroused 
this is so good Kate!
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Loved your poem. I would love if you check out my post on a similiar topic- https://himanaya.com/2019/02/07/our-education-system/
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Hi Kate. My site, Miss Education, JA talks about the exact same things, how school has led us astray from a good meaningful life by teaching us falsehoods and failing to teach us what we need to know — in other words, miseducating us. I love how this poem captures everything I’ve been thinking about education for the past 3 years. I love it!
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Our education system is today so rigged in competition that it is sadly losing out its sacred symbolism.
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not sure what you mean by sacred symbolism … but it’s certainly lost the ability to ignite students passion for learning!
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Yes it’s just that we are just regurgitating abstract models we’ve learnt by heart. There is no real development of the spirit. I totally agree with you. And well written👌
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The word has become a singular oxymoron, if education was valued it would be depoliticised.
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oh profound comment, you make a very valid point … and how did ‘private’ schools end up with more funding than public ones … how is this allowed???
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I so agree! It is often so easy to feel lost from life itself trying to fulfill the demands of ‘education’.
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As an educator i say, education has evolve over the course of time. It has incorporated integration of values in each academinc subjects..the problem really though is…what the school, the home doesnt reinforce or vice versa. But of course this is just one small area…which it think if the home (parents) and school (teachers) could only work hand in hand, then maybe just maybe they make a difference.
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Education will change with advances in technology. Hopefully life long learning will then be emphasized instead of our current system. Thoughtful post Kate.
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Teachers are like nurses, they are overworked, underpaid, expected to get certain result, etc., and don’t have to time to do everything they are trained to do, or want to do, to help those they teach/care for. 😦
(((HUGS)))
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[…] of gift ideas have been popping up in my feed and I am still open to those ideas, of course, but Kate’s suggestion of poetry seems the most […]
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At school, children should learn how to resolve conflicts, how to deal with fear, how to defend against evil.
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Wonderful poem Kate and exactly why I have a job that I love, the system failed so many people and I have the opportunity to make their second time round ‘not like school!’ However jobs activation is now being pushed on us, which again is about getting students upskilled for employment! What about just learning ‘how to learn’ and ‘learning what you love’…that’s a recipe for success!
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so true, sounds like the Steiner recipe 😉
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pushing the “job” focus in education is a presumption that everyone can and will get a job … which has never been the case for many reasons … time that our education taught how to learn and live …. those gifted ones will be employed anyway but they would be better humans if they knew how to deal with their emotions and resolve conflict
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I am totally with you on this one! The system is suited to the academically gifted. Ted talks Ken Robinson education kills creativity…its excellent!
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lol you’re talking to a TED convertee of decades here 🙂 It’s a powerfully moving talk and should be compulsory in teacher training …
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A wonderful poem. This reminds me of an incidence: what my boy then 9 years thought about school. One day after coming rom school he said instead of teaching us about city council and their elected members wouldn’t it better if we learn basic traffic rules.
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lol that would also be most useful but at least he did learn about council and elections … we didn’t even have that gem!
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I hated school. I agree, the state education system is geared to making us employable, which is fine for those who understand the ways of the world, but it doesn’t prepare us for life in general. I was like you – more interested in kissing boys. and sex education didn’t advise us of things like how to recognise and avoid predators.
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yes so much was missing Jane … do hope they review the curriculum soon …
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Education is not what it should be. Well said Kate.
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I learnt to brainstorm and that has helped me to approach obstacles both tangible and concious but the blessing I seeming to be like a curse as I am very much hard headed and so much of a son of a gun..
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I would return to those school days in a heartbeat.
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Your words resonate with me, Kate.
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Of course, I agree with your thoughts, Kate. It is difficult to keep focused on things others think we should learn, rather than things we wish to learn. I agree that education for the heart is also important, as is how to interact with others and be an active and responsible citizen. I love philosophy and ethics courses for doing this, as well as lessons that emphasize, friendship, acceptance and empathy.
Well said.
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thanks for sharing your viewpoint Norah … I know teachers are bound by the curriculum but it’s that which needs changing to include more practical life-changing topics … really seldom use much of what I studied since I left 😦
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I think we use more than we give credit for, but I agree that there is a lot that ‘they’ try to ‘drum’ into us that we never use and fail to see a purpose for. I think this is why whatever children learn in school needs to be meaningful, purposeful and make connections with what they already know and with the world around them.
Have you read my poem ‘Education is’? It has it’s own tab on the menu bar of my blog.
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Thank you, Kate. This is the link: https://norahcolvin.com/education-is/
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thanks Norah, it’s awesome and I hope others click on the link to enjoy 🙂
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Very good poem, Kate!
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