Education
Thank you for your sympathetic words. You are so kind.
It is so interesting to hear about your plans to move to England, Lewis. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and I hope you can live a happy live there with Tomono.
Today my accounting course is cancelled because our teacher went away so I can deal with writing my blog for a little bit longer.
I would like to tell you some thoughts about education in Slovakia. There are different forms of education. In Slovakia primary schools are for children between six and fifteen. Then children can choose from different kinds of secondary schools such as: secondary grammar schools, secondary technical schools, vocational schools. Pupils can not choose what they want to study at secondary grammar schools – they have a wide range of required subjects. Studying these subjects is supposed to give them a broad knowledge in many areas and prepare them for higher education. To finish secondary grammar school, students have to take final exams from 5 subjects. One of these subjects has to be the pupil’s native language, one of them has to be a science and there has to be a foreign language as well. Then the pupil is free to choose the remaining two subjects – these are usually the subjects she or he wants to study at university. Pupils who choose to go to secondary technical schools have an idea about what they want to do in the future and take extra subjects, such as marketing, cooking, agriculture etc. They spend 5 years in secondary education and not 4 years as students of a secondary grammar school. They take final exams, too. Students at vocational school do not take final exams and they do not go to university. They get training to become hairdressers, electricians, plumbers etc. A few years ago a new type of school was introduced: the eight –year gymnasium that it is a good preparation for studying at universities. As I see, this kind of school is mainly for children who are talented.
This year we decided that Peter will continue his study at secondary technical school instead of secondary grammar school. In the beginning of September we had an appointment with the headmistress of the school and we came to this decision and we arranged his official papers. It was a hard decision and I hope that I did the best for him. We took this decision because Peter has different interests to Csilla and we wanted to let him to study that he is interested in.
On 4th September when the new school year had started I saw some children going to school for the first time. They were six or seven years old. In their hands were flowers that they took to their teachers. These children had liquid eyes and were suspenseful. They were all happy that they can go to school. What happens to these children later? Why do they hate the school at the age of 14-15? Many children do not have real goals. Perhaps, they do not get enough motivation. They do not like going to the theatre or museum. They are not interested in policy, in nature, in people, in travelling. They do not read books and newspapers. They are interested in smoking, drinking, playing computer games, going out with friends all time. Perhaps, parents do not have enough time for their children. Perhaps, teachers deal with a lot of unnecessary things at schools. For example, children have to change shoes for slippers. It seems funny to me. Secondly, teachers set a bad example, because they smoke at school, too. At parents’ meetings I have spoken about alternative education more times. Alternative education in Slovakia means that students at secondary grammar school get a choice of the subjects that they study so they do not have to study all subjects at a high level. From my point of view, children at the age of 14-15 know that they are good at science or at humanities. This year they are taking final exams, I think they should only study the subjects they will take exams from. This would be easier and less stressful for many of them.
Csilla studied in the USA a few years ago and she is studying in England now so we can compare the education systems in these countries and in my opinion the education system in Slovakia needs some big changes. What do you think about the education system in your country? I would like to read your opinion.
Bye for now!
Anita
Comments
hy, Anita. I'm Chiara and I'm writing you from Italy. I read all your post and I decided to write you because I think there are not so many difference's beetween Slovakia education sistem and other's one. In Italy, for exemple, guy's don't like study too. They prefere to go out with friends all time. It seem's they can't understand how important is studying. It seem's they go to school because they must do it; not for ours pleausure. Maybe, they arrived to understyand it when they 'll be adult's. Great pleasure to read your blog! Nice to meet you. Chiara
The American education system seems rather egalitarian compared to many other countries. While we do have grammar school, technical, and vocational options in our secondary schools, students are not segregated to separate campuses that often. Even though a person may pursue a vocational track, they tend to take their core subjects -- language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics -- with other students who are not pursuing vocational options. Further, the more academically inclined in specific topics can take certain classes with higher difficulty, even earning college credit in some cases. However, I think that the general lack of segregation is fueled by the hope that all students will view a university education as a possibility while not looking down upon technical and vocational education tracks. Do you feel that the Slovakian education systems fosters a system of elites and commoners?
Education is a problematic issue concerning all the countries because it is the base for a prosperous future. Everybody complains about our kids education and I think the main problem is that the world is changing more and more each day. So the models we thought in the past are not adequate in the present translating in a bad education for our kids. Our governements have to adapt their education systems to the reality and made the education more flexible. Of course this is not an easy task and I think because of the globalazation, countries could create a work group to deal with this issues because the problem is global and the future of our world depends on education.
my son just started going to primary school at the beginning of Semtember.he has't be bothered to say goodbye to me.he goes off to his classroom without any hsssle.the best thing is he likes his teachers very much and making new friends with his classmates. it's been very easy for me to take him to school.the other hand, i have seen many children in Korea don't want to attend school.the reaon is they are too tired to go shool.like Lewis has mentioned they have to go 'cram' school after nomal school.they come home between 8 o'clark to 11 o'clark at night.some children are educated by tutors at home weekend,too.i have argued with some of my friends about pushing children to the limit.they say it sounds cruel to me but it is a social phenomenon in Korea.if they don't send their children a cram school or other place like learning how to play musical instruments etc. the children have no friends to play and feel left behind their friends.as a mother i can't stop feelig sorry for the poor children.i hope the education system in Korea is better in the near future.i think i have been rambing on about too long.i would like tell a joke so it makes you keep your chin up. there are two chimneys.one is small and the other one is big.do you know what the big chimney say to the smll chimney????? the big one says you can't smoke!!!have a great day!!!!
Anita, The education system in Poland is a bit different, but is also strongly criticized, especially recently. As regards the educational program I think that it should focus on developing intellectual potential and ability to apply the obtained knowledge. So, in my opinion it might be risky to limit the subjects of education at the high level just to examination ones as the education program should be also future-driven to allow you to adopt quickly to rapid changes in environment. But to be able to do it you need a really good, broad input. Perhaps we should take a closer look at the education system in Finland which is probably the most innovative country in the world. It seems that it takes mainly a special kind of mentality to build a sound education system, not only money. But on the other hand we should keep a reasonable distance while evaluating our own education opportunities – just read some of the UN’s reports on what’s going on in the underdeveloped countries. As regards your question what has happened with the enthusiasm of those children with ‘liquid eyes’ going for the first time to school – well, it is a real breakthrough in their life, they become aware of several differences, mainly resulting from the family background. If they are unable to cope with all that staff they just escape and demonstrate it in a quite different way ...
Dear Anita, In Bulgaria we have a similar educational program. My senior son is 14 years old now so my family had the same emotions this summer. We (together) chose a vocational school for him. He started school on the 15 of September. It was very difficult for us to make a decision.We hesitated between professional and vocational schools. At the age of 14 pupuls have not clear idea what they want to do in the future. After finishing this school my son will not be limited to choose among univerities because this school gives good knowleage as a whole. If he studies hard he will succeed. The curriculum involves Science, Maths, Native language and foreign language (13 classes per week). I hope we made the right choice just as you. The future will show.You have experienses with your daugther, but every child has his own individuality and you were right to choose another way for your son. I agree with Ana from Poland that educational system should focus on developing intellectual potential and ability to apply the obtained knowledge.This system should not neglect some subjects instead other.I am curious to know how the Finland's system looks.If someone can give information I'll be gratefull Best wishes
hi Anita! Your English is good and your opinions are proper. Maybe we should communicate morefor a better world. I live in Romania and here the educational system is far from being perfect just like in the other former comunist countries. there is a continuous reform and the traditional system of eduaction is tried to be changed. the school books are cahnged evert year and there are still useless subjects at school. I have never agreed the mechanical learning which is good for memory but not for life. kids should learn only useful things at schoolin order to help them integrate in society, to find a better job. Ther are many students who graduate an university and do no find a job. I like how you write and I would like to find out more about Slovakia. best wishes, Razvan
hi anita,i studied in uk and in america and i can tell you the british system is simply the best in the world.from the ages of four till university the preparation is excellant and subjects they learn is incredibal.the pass rate in the uk for A levels is 98% of all students taking the exams,a truly amazing thing.in malta only 45%pass the exams,so the big diffrences is big.then there are the universities like cambridge and oxford,two of the best in the world and in the top 100 there are more universities from uk than any other european nation.the french and the italian systems dont work well and the germans are restrictive.also the business schools are simply tops considerind london is the financial capital of the world.it does have its problems but thats mainly due to the student not wanting to learn.
I read all your contribution to this page I would be very interested in learning more about your education system where you are, keep up the good work.
Hiya, well i actually come from slovakia and been living in UK for 6 years. From my experience I totally disagree with you. I think our education systen in slovakia is so much better than in all good england. Of course there are some pros and cons but if I had to choose between being educated in slovakia or england, i choose slovakia. My fiance is english and we both decides that our children are going to be educated in Slovakia. I went to grammar school myself and I really enjoyed it, it was my choice I didnt go to university but I dont miss out on anything. My knowledge is great compare to people my age is UK. We covered everything back at grammar school- history,literature, maths, geography...And im proud of being educated in Slovakia. maybe at the age of 15 most kids dont know what they want to study but will they know at the age of 19? I doubt it. Our teenagers are well behaved. Anyway everyone;s opinion is different and this is my one.love it or hate it,dont care
Thanks for all your contributions. This blog has now closed and can no longer accept new comments.
