Dear Editor:
Re: Curriculum Changes: ‘New’ Isn’t Always Better, June 19 Other Voices.
I am 65 and I first returned to continuing education in 1983 and onwards to 2003 and managed to achieve very high marks in whatever courses I was taking. I didn’t need to upgrade any courses, because there was very little change from when I graduated to then, I wouldn’t have been able to do so if my early education hadn’t given me the skills to go beyond my expectations.
I think this shows that education 55 years ago was excellent and given the fact there were very few changes made from grades 1 to 12 shows that what the teacher says is true. I have a young grand niece and it breaks my heart to see her struggle with subjects such as math and science where the method has changed dramatically and I fear for her if she wishes to continue her education beyond Grade 12. I have seen changes to methods and topics compared to when her mother did her 12-year stretch in the school system.
The methods from one generation to another have changed so much and seeing the difference of managing to get a high grade average has diminished through the ages.
It is such a complex subject, that I don’t think anyone in this century is going to know how to get back to basic reading, writing and arithmetic. I have seen too many university students not know how to do math in their heads, to write instead of print or be able to solve a problem using common sense, which isn’t taught as a subject.
I want to say to parents, don’t be satisfied with just sending your children to school. Reach further than what is provided and increase your child’s knowledge over and above what is taught to them, whether it be with tutoring, attending a learning centre or enroll them in educational programs through the summer because they only get one chance with public education while they are five to 18 years of age.
Sharan Green
New Westminster
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