Education in Taiwan(Part 3)

Part 3 Experimental Schools Won't Fit Us

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Part 1 Problems With Public Schools: teachers

Part 2 Why Can't We All Be Home-schooled

Part 4 How To Work As a Taiwanese English Teacher

Experimental schools, an ideal mixture of "the system" and "style" in education (not specifically about science unless it being the primary focus of the schools). The conventional system expects a race to the higher scores of other schools and now you can still have tests but to have them in your ways such as converting written tests to oral ones. The teachers, staff and up to the head of school would share a similar core principle in education, unlike common schools where "some" are only in to serve as a means to income gain. The families that enroll their children there do it because they have a higher understanding of how their children should be educated and are not doing so because it's a simple choice being mandatory.

While all that sounds dreamy, at least to me, the reality is, as the subtitle says... they won't fit us! d

This is a big assumption but after years in the field, one of the things we came to realize and confirmed is that not everyone cares (enough). Since the root problem isn't just about our topic here, we'll leave out "the reason to have children".

As bad as it reads, people don't mind; we're lazy. If there's a rule, tradition, or something people around you/including yourself have done, you follow it regardless of it being right or wrong. The worst part is, even when you feel that it's bad, you still defend it. If everyone has to comment on the schooling system, it's going to be more criticisms but at the end, most people would still go on the same path given a second chance. The reason is... a simple four-letter word: F E A R. The fear of being different, being marginalized, actually succeeding.... just to name a few, are the things that make us afraid. Although if you come to think about them, choosing "the rule" could likely give you the same answers: we are indeed different; we either create little groups or we join them; we might achieve greatness.

Experimental schools are expensive. That's the quick fact. We thought there was a reason why no one talks about the fees and gradually understood. Certainly, money shouldn't be the top priority as we choose but it could really exclude those who cannot afford it.

There aren't enough teachers for these schools. We have more than enough of teachers for conventional schools both public and private but not for experimental ones. In other words, we lack comparisons and replacements. Though we're very happy to have heard that there are a lot of training programs going on, within 5 to 10 years, it would still be very "experimental".

The families start doubting themselves. Being the (strong) minority takes a strong mind. All the chronic peer pressure, active/passive persuasions could turn people oblivious; you forget why you did this. You'll have to be very firm on your decisions because most likely people would help you fear for it.

We're not saying that these considerably new founded schools/ teaching styles are the cure but so far we simply can't catch up with the novelty. The only way to find out is not simply a leap of faith and think it'll turn out just like they claim but to ... simply care.

Put a genius in an ordinary class, you'll get downgraded kid. However, if you actually care about him/her, you help evaluate and make the decision together. Whatever is, will eventually be. Respect the freedom of choice and things will always be the way it should.

#education