T
stantly changing. Neverthehe average high school student today has
less, our educational sys-
the same levels of anxiety as psychiatric pa-
tems haven’t changed for
tients in the early 1950s. We are overworked, held
hundreds of years! They are
to unrealistic expectations and told we’re going to
archaic! The current system is modelled in the
fail miserably in life if we don’t achieve A-
interests and image of the Industrial Age with the
aggregates. Of course this is stressing us out. The
primary purpose to produce factory workers. This
school system incentivises insecurity and emotional
mentality of mass production and mass control still
turmoil. Our well-being is completely disregarded.
forms the foundation of schools in the 21st century.
“Here, take this material, do all your homework
Children’s lives are governed by bells, dictated by
and know everything we discussed in class off by
following instructions.
heart tomorrow. Oh, and do that same thing six
“Sit down, take out your books, turn to page 100,
more times today.”
solve problem number 1.”
“You only got home at eight after choir and athletics practice? You were up until 3 AM studying? Not
This is an example of an Industrial Age value.
my fault you procrastinate.”
You’re awarded for doing exactly what you’re told, for not questioning your superiors and for sup-
It’s honestly exhausting! We are demotivated and
pressing your own ideas and opinions. But the
despondent. On top of this, we are all seen as im-
modern world values workers who can be crea-
mature and entitled, when in reality we’re just try-
tive, who can communicate their ideas and who
ing to keep our heads above the water, and being
can collaborate with others. We never get the
diminished and treated like petulant children
chance to develop these skills during our school
certainly isn’t making it any easier.
years. We are faced with a complete lack of au-
tonomy, trapped in steel-coated boxes that inhibit We are being sent to school to prepare us for the “real world”, for the future, which is mutable; con-
our innovation and originality.
