Vol 3 - The Velja Approach

Note : This is the unedited draft of the article found in the pamphlet.

What is the purpose of school? To educate right? Next question : Does our current school system succeed in doing that? That is a question one can answer for themselves, but I will volunteer my answer as the representation of one opinion among the many, and my answer is : our current school system does not succeed in educating. And, personally I feel I am not alone in this opinion, in fact, I would hazard a guess that I am in the vast majority. This is not a good thing.

There is a really simple test that can be conducted to determine whether our current school system succeeds in actually imparting knowledge to students. Give an adult one of their old school tests and see if they can pass. Anything beyond basic arithmetic and reading skills will do, so anything past around Grade 5 or 6. I wonder if that's the reason that gameshow is called Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? I will admit it first : I seriously doubt I could pass ANY of my tests after Grade 6 or 7. Math (anything beyond arithmetic). History. Geography. French. Biology. Chemistry. Physics. Health Science. English I think I would do well in, but that's because I was Majoring in English in University and I still enjoy reading English Literature from time to time. Actually, I think this would apply to any adult. They would do well in tests on subjects which they invested time in during their adult life, and/or, they actually enjoyed. AND. there is the secret to a school system which "actually" educates.

I would like to suggest that school should, in fact, do more than just educate, but, "empower" students too. I think that students should finish their 12 years of schooling brimming over with confidence and a sense of their own specialness and uniqueness. I think students at 17 years of age should finish school with a sparkle in their eye and the feeling that they are ready to forge their own path in life. Sounds too good to be true? So did universal suffrage at one time, but, hey! we got it!

Picture this : you're 12 years old. You've finished Grade 6. You are possessed of reading and writing skills and basic arithmetic. You are still young enough to be a child, but are old enough to understand adults. You are entering the time when you are about to come into awareness of how deep your untapped potential truly runs.

You arrive at school for your first day in Grade 7. The Principal greets you and the other students at the front of school saying this, "Welcome students to your 1st day of high school. I have a remarkable thing to tell you, you have no more classes." Naturally this is fairly shocking to you. Some kids might snicker that this means that they can just go home or to the mall and goof off (isn't it a shame that school is so uninspiring that many children have absolutely no desire to be there).

The Principal continues, "That's right kids! You have no more classes. YOU are the ones responsible for your education now." I can already hear adults thinking, "The children will run amok!" I don't think so.

The Principal goes on, "You see this building behind me. This is YOUR school. We adults built it for you, our children, the future generation, to explore life, to determine your path, to grow strong. It has : a Gymnasium, a Library, Chemistry Labs, Biology Labs, Physics Labs, Computer Labs, Sewing Labs, Cooking Labs, a Track and Field, a Soccer Field, Baseball Diamond, Basketball Court, a Theater, Music Room, everything you need to explore and learn to your heart's content."

One of the children asks, "Where are the teachers?" To which the Principal happily responds, "The teachers are in the school, and they will most definitely teach you. They will be engaged in their own studies and projects. Just because we become adults, does not mean we do not stop learning. The only difference between an adult and a child is : experience. Your teachers have more experience than you, and they are here to share it with you : when YOU wish to seek it out."

Some booklets begin to be passed out. The Principal says, "You are all getting an Agenda. Please use it to make appointments with your teachers. That's right, just like adults. When you are busy studying something, and you need to consult with a teacher, just make an appointment and write it down in your Agenda. Your teachers are a resource, fountains of knowledge for you to go to when you are thirsty."

A child asks, "So are you saying that if I want to watch The Simpsons all day or shoot hoops I can?" The Principal amazingly replies, "Of course! There is plenty to learn from The Simpsons. The writers are actually very, very well-educated and there is a plethora of knowledge to be gained as well as satirical social commentary. I think watching The Simpsons is an excellent use of your time. As for shooting hoops, it's excellent exercise, lots of fun, and you might get good enough to go pro."

One of the stupefied parents, who accompanied their child, rouses themselves from their state of shock and asks, "How will children learn anything if they're just watching tv or playing basketball?" The wise Principal responds, "Quite simply because human beings are a living creature and living creatures inevitably grow. Further, human beings crave growth and pushing past their limits. All that is required is the need to do so. When children see other children doing something that looks interesting, they invariably are curious and go have a look. A child who is conducting an experiment to make Gunpowder, will quite likely attract the attention of a basketball loving student when the latter hears a small boom! The basketball student can enjoy doing the experiment with their peer and the two might enjoy a friendly game of hoops later and even become friends."

The shocked parent responds, "That's naive." The Principal answers, "Children NEED adults to believe in them. If adults believe in their children, there is nothing our young ones cannot do. Giving children the control of their own education is an act of trust on the part of adults and one which we gladly give."

The Principal then addresses themselves to the students, "Students, you are humanity's future. You are the next generation of caretakers of this planet, our home. We adults need you to become healthy, happy and strong. More than that, we want you to be healthy, happy and strong."

The Principal then addresses themselves to the parents, "Parents, imagine your child coming home full of excitement, because everyday they are exposed to new wonders which they themselves have sought out. They can't wait to show you their Agendas and the countless exciting projects they are looking forward to. Making costumes for a friend's play. Conducting experiments on microbes that eat plastic bags. Practicing for a District Basketball tournament. Preparing to go cut lawns and paint houses to earn money for a trip to Japan to practice their Japanese. Going on a Field Trip to a Nursing Home to hear stories of World War 2 from the mouths of veterans. Learning to prepare Paella with a Spanish exchange student and a bunch of interested friends in the Cooking Lab. And plenty of appointments with teachers to discuss a panorama of questions. Truly, my fellow adults, school is the place where your child's mind will be opened to the limitless possibilities they possess. And. They will be : Excited. Happy. Full of life and energy. Because they feel special. Because they are special. And we adults will have given them the opportunity and the support for them to feel that way."

One of the parents then asks, "uh. Can adults go back to school too?" The Principal smiles, "When human beings want something, there is nothing they cannot do. Maybe adult school is in order too..."

The Principal concludes with open arms declaring, "Welcome to YOUR school students. Learn. Grow. Become Strong, and Be Happy."

The Principal makes a brief pause before adding, "Oh. And you can take your ear plugs out. There is no more bell screaming at you to follow the path adults dictate for you. No. The need to move forward comes from inside of you now. So : forward!"

Is this possible in the real world? Oh yes. We have the schools. We have the facilities. We have the teachers. We have the students. All that's missing is faith in the unlimited potential and the burning desire to learn of children. Trust me. It is there. I can feel it burning inside of me. I know it's burning inside of you too.

School where students actually learn and grow strong. I want that. = )