Smarter than a 3rd grader? Not really...

So much has been said about the importance of education about how teachers are overworked, underpaid, and definitely undervalued. So much has been said, but is anyone listening?

In Israel, for example, a teacher strike has entered its 48th day. Yeah, you read it right; 48 days teachers have been on strike and for what? Not for stock awards, or pool tables in the teacher lounges, but for smaller class rooms and more hours to invest in students.

I don’t want to go on a rant, but schools and class rooms have long stopped being a hub of education and of mentoring. They instead became a babysitting facility, a place parents can deposit their kids so they can go about their business. Parents no longer expect teachers to educate and broaden their kids’ horizons but to keep them out of trouble until they get a chance to make some time and deal with them. But that time never comes…

I say, if you can’t educate your kids and need someone else to step in then A) You shouldn’t be a parent (but that’s a different rant) and B) you should provide that ‘other’ person, who is willing to do the work for you, the tools and backing to do so. Instead we are seeing parents leading the charge against teachers for not feeding their precious babies, education, with a silver spoon. Sending their kids with lawyers threatening teachers with law suits if they don’t fix their grades or act nicer to them (all actual cases, for REAL).

Wake up folks!

Parents: to use a well beaten cliché: “You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs”. You can’t educate adolescents without giving teachers authority, respect, and your full backing.
Governments: here is a cliché for you too: “You are only as strong as your weakest link”. Invest money in education. These kids are you future. They are your leaders (and not just those who go to private schools), they are your society and they are the reason your nation will prosper or fail. Invest in teachers, invest in classrooms, invest in our kids and you will be investing in our future.

You don’t believe me? You think we are investing enough in education? Then take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juOQhTuzDQ0 maybe you will learn something too…