Tuesday, 27 July 2010

General knowledge is the basis (Thank God EGB is gone!)

Throughout the years, we have seen innumerable attempts to improve the educational system. Every time school programmes are about to undergo a certain kind of change, the same question is raised: should students be instructed in a particular area according to what they want to work in, or should they be provided with knowledge about many different aspects of life so as to know a bit of everything? The latest modification carried out in the Argentinean curriculum (2006) restored the old system of primary school followed by secondary school (both compulsory, of course). So, the question is: why are we going back to an old system? And the answer would probably be that the last new idea (3 EGB + polymodal) was a complete failure and a huge educational mistake.

I suffered that EGB system, and for me seeing how many of my school mates dropped out of university on the first year they attended is more than enough to realize that the whole idea was sheer madness. It is incredibly hard for adolescents or young adults to make up their minds on what they want to do for a living. So, if they cannot make a decision at the end of high school, how would they possibly be able to do it at the beginning of it? During the validity of the EGB Law, the school programme forced students to choose one course of studies and then, when attending college, they discovered that was not what they liked. Therefore, they were left with no knowledge to start studying on a different field.

On the other hand, today companies seek people who can be useful in several areas. Job interviews unravel potential employees’ background knowledge and employers treasure those applicants who not only show aptitude for the post but also ability to learn, talk and give opinions about myriads topics of discussion.

To sum up, it is undeniable that at school a student should learn about everything. Then, at the time of making a decision, all the tools ha has been provided with will help him make the wisest choice. And no matter how everything may turn out, all the knowledge he has acquired will never be a burden.

Interesting to site to learn more about: Education in Argentina

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