How to create an ideal Educational System?

The purpose of education is to help people succeed in life and build a career. To be successful, children must develop certain interactive and critical thinking skills in order to become functional citizens.

For this reason, the education system needs to be one that provides children with opportunities for them to be on the cutting edge and therefore able to compete not only on a nationally but also globally.

How is this possible?

Teacher Training and Professional Development

Also known as Teacher Education (TE), Teacher Training refers to the policies, procedures and numerous educational opportunities designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills that would transform their attitudes and behaviours so that they may effectively deliver the curriculum, inspire and consequently impact the lives of the students in the classroom, school and wider community in a positive way.

Not only must teachers receive the necessary and appropriate education, training and support but the training and support must be continuous in nature. ‘Best practices’ for Teacher Training should also be factored when creating an ‘ideal’ educational system.

An ‘ideal’ educational system also requires teachers to be continuous and pragmatic learners, understanding that their professional growth and development are paramount. Pragmatism and continuity play an important role in education since their basic principle is change. The teaching and learning process is never stagnant and the founding principle of pragmatism in the teaching/learning process is to teach for the real world. In other words, children learn so that they can exist in this real world.

Teachers should also be encouraged to be reflective and open to positive criticisms since it is through reflection that we improve the methods of teaching.

Teacher Training, Professional Development, continuity and regular use of these are integral in creating an ideal education system. Teachers must be exposed to ‘best practices’ in order to stay at the top of their game

Highly paid and qualified teachers

In order to attract the ‘best minds’ to the profession, terms and condition of employment must be a ‘cut above’ the rest. Teachers need to be highly compensated and be provided with the necessary resources and appropriate infrastructure to get the job done.

Societal Awareness

Society needs to acknowledge the important role that a teacher assumes. Teachers are responsible for educating doctors, lawyers, etc. and therefore, deserve the respect that other professions receive.

This respect can be gained through the salaries they earn, terms and conditions of their employment, etc.

Ratio of Student to Teacher

An appropriate teacher-student ratio is one of the main aspects of a high quality education program. Studies show that lower class sizes and smaller teacher-student ratios can improve the learning outcomes, help reduce behavioural problems, lower rates of special education placements, reduce teacher stress and improve the teacher’s experiences.

Multiple Teachers Assigned To a Classroom

Two to three teachers should be placed in a classroom. One could be assigned to lecture the students while the others could assist in the completion of ‘paperwork’ such as recording of contact information for children, provide a level of one-on-one attention some students may need, correction of assignments etc.

Interactive Learning

Providing learning experiences through simulations (or the imitation of real-world activities and scenarios in a safe environment), scaffolding (which is a method that enables a student to solve a problem, carry out a task, or achieve a goal through a gradual removal of external assistance), field/school trips, etc.

Individual Education Plan (IEP)

The Individual Education Plan or IEP is a plan that is meant to provide every student with a disability of one kind another with an equal opportunity to receive the same education as other students. Modifications are made to the curriculum to suit the needs of each student.

For this to have a positive impact, the following persons must be part of the process:

• Doctors (Paediatrician)
• Social Worker/Guidance Officer
• Mental Health Persons
• Psychologist/Psychiatrist

It should be noted as well, that children be assessed, with the focus being on issues that may affect their growth and development, mental health, etc in an effort to arrest the problem as early as possible. Early intervention is key in a child overcoming his or her obstacles.

Conclusion

We hope that you found this article is informative.

Feel free to let us know what you thought about our suggestions. If you have any other ideas as to how to make our educational system more ideal, do let us know.

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