written by Jonatan Dimeo 16713097
Throughout ages of human history, education plays an essential part in
society. People see education as the great social equaliser, the human race's only
alternative to catastrophe. Every country has its own system, and it is not
easy to pick up which one is the best or which one is the worst. Every one of
them has its advantages and flaws. In response to Kie Ho's article, I decided
to look at the current American education system, and compare it to Finland's,
cited as the world's best.
Boasting its system to let children think freely, Americans proclaim this to
be the pinnacle of human education. Kie Ho wrote this system gives the children
an opportunity to fulfill their creativity, thus, making America the country of
innovation. He also feels this to be a superior system compared to others.
However, this is not the actual case. Kie Ho wrote his article out of his own
opinion without looking at any proof. America, in reality, is in decline for
the past five years or so. Once regarded as the world's leading country in
manufacturing industries, America has since slipped to 7th position
due to, ironically, a lack of new innovations. Creative industries such as
movie industry, is recently flooded by Asians, mainly Chinese, Koreans, and
even Malaysians. Moreover, more than 58% Americans are now doing low-paying
jobs, compared to 30% in 1980s, because high-paying jobs vacancies are given to
non-Americans.1 Is this the result of the so-called best education
in the world?
Rational people should have realized that this system is far from perfect, a
long way to go to be the best. Children are permitted to think creatively, out
of their imagination, yet, I do not believe it is right to let them think that
France, Iran, or any other country is located in Australia. It is also foolish
to let people being ignorant, not knowing what religion a country holds, or
what is happening at the other side of the world, as if their lives are the
center of the universe. Education should empower the disempowered, and
strengthen the weak, not the other way around. Letting the fools stay stupid is
not educating, it is enslaving.
A comprehensive survey held by lots of education firm, including Pearson, in
2013 cited Finland’s education system as the best in the world.2
Finnish children are forbidden to enter school until they are six or seven
years old. The first step of education lasts nine years, until they are
sixteen, and they are not graded. They engage in social activities, they have a
lot of school trips, but the most important part is that they are taught the
right things, whether it is geography, mathematics, or any other subjects, by
the best teacher available. These teachers have at least a master degree and a
license to teach. Compared to Finland’s, America’s system is certainly not good
enough. Add to this the fact of the same number of teacher in Finland (better
qualified ones) responsible for only 600 thousand students, meanwhile in
America, the same amount of teacher responsible for over 1 million students.
Supporters of American education system fail to notice that their country is
in a downward spiral thanks to years of bad system, and it is difficult to get
out of this. I firmly believe the final purpose of education is to create a
more critical generation, capable of creating a better society. Current
American system does not serve this purpose, as it only makes an
easier-to-govern generation. Granted, there is no perfect education system in
this world, and today’s best may be tomorrow’s worst. However, looking at
current trends, it seems inevitable for America to quickly change their system,
if they ever seriously considered getting out of the steep decline they are in.
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