Colleges or Gordian knot? 

The more I read about education transformation the more I wonder if we are dressing up the old in new clothes. So, tell me how the trumpet of elitism does not blast again between the Junior College of Excellence and the Senior? How come child “A” has gone to this college but child “E” who, as the parent(s) believe, showed similar aptitude been shuffled off to a different college?

And here I would have to ask if the descriptor of “College” is a subliminal suggestion that these new beings now have a similar symphony of sound as Queen’s or Harrison College. If that is not the reason, then I would have to ask for an explanation of the use of the word “College”. A minor point perhaps, but I can see arguments developing as to why this college is better or worse than that, especially because of the history or location of a particular school.

I just wonder if we shall be straying from the essentials of education up to age 18 or 19, that is to build a solid foundation and a sturdy superstructure to support a ceiling and roof which are to be added. What is needed are the tools for research and experimentation. This foundation is essential when one considers that some jobs and professions which blossom in five or ten years’ time are not on today’s radar, but will be developed through the application of today’s basic education principles.

My distance from the proposed reformation of our secondary education system leaves me to wonder if the proponents have not got themselves into a Gordian knot and whether it can be untied or just cut. After all, we are delivering students who should be ready for higher education. For instance, one wonders if the proposed new system shall be delivering students with a better grasp of English than at present. Please let us know.

Michael Rudder