Education Levels by Country

[Nicodemus Phaulkon]

From a non-teaching perspective, I find it hard to explain the teachers' repeated gripes. They strike every two years (ostensibly "for the students", though it's clear as to how their education is suffering). They whine about reduced preparation time (other professionals don't get any - they use personal time, meaning they get almost no spare time of their own). They cry about having to administer standardized testing (which is the only way to stop the illiterate high-school graduates we've had in the past). All the while, getting three months of virtual holiday a year.

It looks a lot like they don't want to work too hard and resent the government trying to make them.

I am not saying that it's the case. But it looks like it.

You're buying the media, Skan. I can understand this sort of feeling when you take into consideration only the soundbites that the media (and hence: government) is handing out... but you need to dig deeper.

The truth is; the big issues that Teachers and their Unions approach the Government about have little to do with income, and everything to do with quality of education.

If you seek to find the truth, I suggest that you interview a teacher over coffee. After hearing what he/she says about their years in the trenches and what they REALLY would like to see coming their way... I believe that you'll note that "MORE $$$" doesn't come up at all.

As in all things, the truth lies between the two sides of the issue... and definitely sits somewhere above the absolute bull#$%& that the media hands out at 6pm, nightly. It's up to the "Thinking Citizen" to attempt to actually find it.

Good luck.

*tips helm*