Today's School Curriculum

Today's School Curriculum

The curriculum in today's schools has survived relatively unchanged

for many years. It was created in a completely different world, one

where computers were not used and jobs for the uneducated were easy to

find. The world has changed significantly since then, but should the

education system?

The job market is a competitive one, and an extra qualification can

make all the difference. One qualification that is needed for nearly

every position is that of Information and Communication Technology, in

other words, computers. Computers are used for many purposes in nearly

every company, for example, spreadsheets in finance, databases in

stock keeping and desktop publishing in advertising. The skill needed

to control the software and hardware is highly desirable, but the

current curriculum in high schools does not reflect this. ICT was only

introduced into the curriculum several years ago, and has been taught

as a minor subject, comparable to the likes of Art and Music.

Throughout high school, each school only has to complete one hour of

ICT per week, although it can be taken optionally as a GCSE subject,

or as a GNVQ. A large number do not opt for the latter options, which

leaves them with a qualification equal to half a single GCSE. I do not

believe that the curriculum's compulsory ICT lessons are sufficient

now that more and more jobs are becoming increasingly dependent on

computers. I personally think that ICT provision should be increased

to three hours a week, making it on level with the main academic

subjects of English, Maths and Science. This will enable pupils to

study a wider range of software, and...

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it, like an NVQ. This would give then the skills to easily find a job,

as they would already be trained for it, whilst if they had stayed on

their GCSE course, they would have probably ended up with no

qualifications, and would be stuck in a poorly paid job, if they got

one at all.

The curriculum that young people are taught today is flawed and is

inappropriate for many young people. I feel that ICT should be made a

subject comparable with the likes of Maths and English, essential

skills needed for later life, like stress management and money

management should be taught to pupils and the less-able pupils should

be allowed to drop out of GCSEs and pursue a vocational qualification.

These changes to the current curriculum would bring it up to date and

make it more relevant for the youngsters of today.