School Is Bad For Children

Knowledge and Education are two big words upon which all the school, colleges, and universities in the world are built. These two qualities that these institutions promise to develop within children, how can they be measured? We all know for a fact that every human brain works differently than another, how can two people be judged upon a series of same questions asked as tests in these intuitions? I personally find no use of the current education system I have experienced in my school, in India. There are many arguments made by both the sides of this discussion, i.e. benefits and losses, but there is no sure shot way to figure it out. Because each argument feels so convincing that when you hear it you are drawn towards it. John Holt, the author of “School is Bad for Children,” would agree with the criticisms made by David Barthelme, the author of “The School,” regarding the coursework set up by the administrations, which isn’t beneficial or relevant for the growth and development of children to survive in the dynamic and fast-paced outside world.

Mr. Holt would concur the criticism made by Mr. Barthelme to mock the dull-wittedness practiced by the school authorities. Mr. Barthelme in his short story describes the foolishness done by the school authorities, every year with the example of the tropical fish. He describes, “Of course we expected the tropical fish to die, that was no surprise. Those numbers, you look at them crooked and they’re belly-up on the surface. But the lesson plan called for a tropical fish input at the point, there was nothing we could do, it happens every year, you just have to hurry past it” (1). Apparently, Mr. Barthelme, from the perspective of a school teacher, denounces the curriculum made by the school ...

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...can help the education systems. The institutions should at least take these suggestions into consideration and work upon it to make better schools and colleges for the future generation of students. Mr. Holt gives suggestions like, cease the compulsory attendance policies, taking children out of the prison walls of the school and give exposure to the real world outside.

John Holt, through his article “School is Bad for Children”, and Donald Barthelme, through his short story “The School” try to convince the readers of the shortcomings of the present education system. They care for the children and want the future generation to be knowledgeable as well as possess their qualities of curiousness, their smartness, their go-getter spirit. And want to change the current system that forces them to be fearful and forget these qualities, making them lazy and cheat themselves.