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Answer:
There are many differences, reasons and
nuances socially, economically and
politically that affect the parenting and
the education of the child. Making it unfair to compare,
since we have so neatly divided the World into the
developed and the undeveloped Countries. Then we have
the differences within the educational systems in all
Countries. You have the Private and the Governmental
Schools who find themselves locked in a power
struggle. The gap between the education in the rural
areas and the urban sector. The liberal view and
the conservatives position in regards to Curriculum
The Rich and the Poor with their reference
points. And then we have those who are opposed to
the standardization of testing or the annual competency
evaluation of teachers and the list goes on.
How best to parent and educate a child needs to be
listed as the number priority in the World.
Although I am afraid this is asking too much of
the leaders of the World in their present political
"state of mind"; since most countries spend far more on
Defense, than on Education. In America more is spent on
Dog food than on Education which is hard to
believe. Or, how about the MILLIONS lost to corruption.
It is apparent that all systems, methodologies,
ways and means in parenting and in the education of a
child should be continuously evaluated and updated as
the World shrinks around us.. Knowledge is expanding and
technology is racing towards the stars. We see an
acceleration of growth and evolution in every sector of
Human endeavor across the wide spectrum in all the
Disciplines and in the Citadels of 'Higher Learning".
Since this is verifiable, no country has the right to
deny any child the best it can give in the nurturing
of each child's' potentialities.
The education of the child should rank alongside
the number one priority that is taking the
lives of 40,000 children each and every month, not
counting the adults.. The eradication of
hunger, disease and starvation in the world is
paramount.
Can you fathom the reasons of "why' this is
so? Does this make any sense to you?
This is sheer insanity in our advanced age of
Knowledge and Technology..
How can this be?
The feeding of the body, the feeding of the mind,
and the feeding of the spirit is where civilization
needs to stand up and be counted, in providing
the most conducive conditions for these three entities..
If there is any task more worthy, any endeavor more
sacred, any challenge more noble than the feeding and
the nourishing of the body, mind and spirit? Will it
please step forward and be recognized.
Allow at this point a side note.
How many times have we thought or said and even
heard others voice the same sentiments; how is
it that we educate and train ourselves and others to
be knowledgeable, skilled and competent in all "manner
of things". Yet, we are like children playing with our
toys when it comes to the 'Art of Marriage' and
the needed wisdom and skills for parenting? Are we not
strange animals, indeed? We spend our time and
energies becoming competent in our various professions
and trades. So we might earn more money, gain status
or power. Believing in doing so that this will make us
happy and contented, whole and complete. Or
whatever it is that we are looking for. But in many
cases our knowledge and competence fails us when it
comes to our relationships with our loved ones
The most glaring example, although there are
hundreds of others is the trained Psychiatrist.
Whose marriage is on the Rocks and his/her children are
the terror of the neighborhood.. And yes,
I am aware of the saying; that "one is not a
prophet in his own country".
The cure of our problem is to devise and implement
a more excellent system or systems that will benefit
both child and family for today's' World and all the future
Worlds of the young and the families yet to come.
Surely the answer is in the problem itself. How often
have we used the words; ignorance, fragmented and
simplistic thinking in the context of the woes of
education The probable cure for the ills of education
are rooted in the above triad. So, how do we
destroy ignorance, fragmentation and simplistic
thinking?
With knowledge and understanding; as to how we
acquire a better knowledge and understanding of
ourselves, others, the world and the things, Of the
world?
By becoming and being a disciple,
i.e.. {Learner}. How? The environment and the conditions
must be conducive so the more excellent educational
systems can be put in place throughout the planet.
Surely out of six billion plus people, we can find, not
only the best human resources, the monies, but the will
to answer this challenge.
After 13 1/2 years, 50 plus countries and speaking
to thousands of students, teachers and parents. I have
observed in the majority of the developing countries, an
inordinate passion for the memorization and the
regurgitation of facts. With less concern and emphasis
placed on the How? and Whys of a
much larger overview about the connectiveness
of all and everything.
The art of rational thinking is put on the back
burner, along with the teaching of self-reliance,
confidence and self-worth. Rote learning at its best, is
not the best way. The parroting of a
bunch of words without knowing the genesis or
understanding the essence is of little value. We are
talking about quality not quantity.
This should be underlined until our pencils wear
out.
If we think we are in a knowledge and
technological revolution now. We haven't seen anything
compared to what is ahead within the first half of this
century. Let alone, the wonders of wonders in the second
half. For we will see advancements that will stagger the
imagination and out "Star Trek even Star
Trek" making the last thirty-years look as if we
have been standing still. Which raises the question; Will
we and our children and their children be ready to
cope and adjust to all the coming changes
and innovations?
(Wuzhou, China 07/2001)
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