Imagine a situation where your child keeps complaining about studies and school… What will be your decision as a parent if you are convinced that there are glaring issues to be addressed? Read more on education problems and its solutions in the public schools…
Public schools are government schools for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education in the United States, sponsored by public taxes that provide free local education. They focus on the general education basics and is controlled by school authority accomplished by state board or department of education. Public schools also known as State Schools are local and affordable institutes, so they are accessible to all children. A detailed study on the Public schools and their education problems and suggestions to be implemented in education sector are depicted below.
Education Problems and Its Solutions
No Standard Policies
A state school may fall short in completing the target given by the government to educate every child. They lack in accountability, proficiency, infrastructure, assessment, etc. Sometimes, the required number of teachers may be less when compares to the number of students per classroom, making it difficult for the teachers to pay personal attention to each student. These schools cover all types of subjects randomly, they teach English, maths, history, science, reading, writing, and physical education. Therefore, most of the students prefer private tuition for specialization in a particular subject.
Solutions: Before the school starts, set the policies how the academic year going to be like prepare curriculum, hire teachers and train them, and get financial support from the government.
One-way Teaching Process
Sometimes the schools may not be able to meet the basic necessities of every student on the same level. The school lacks child-friendly and child-centric atmosphere, and at the same time, it is discouraging to the teachers.
Solutions: Include question-answer section, hands-on methods, interactive methods, etc. Teachers can make teaching interesting through innovative methods like story telling, games, painting and dancing.
Poor Academic Performance
If schools are practicing an old and outdated agenda during examinations, the students will surely acquire limited knowledge and rate of passing will be dropped down. This will lead to poor academic performance. Children have a tendency to capture new concepts easily, they imitate things the exact way they see and perceive. In today’s world of talent, competition and merits are considered important, which these institutes not aware of.
Solutions: Enforce latest learning and teaching guidelines every year. If required, provide extra classes or faculties to some students.
Lack of Extracurricular Activities
Many students switch to special private classes after school, because public schools include limited activities that may not be up to the mark. Extra curriculum activities include games, painting, music, dancing, speech, Science Fair and Projects, gathering, and workshops. These recreational activities will help build self-esteem, confidence and skill development in students.
Solutions: Include extracurricular activities within the timetable per week.
Learning Disabilities
Few children who affected by certain learning disabilities are unable to articulate the concepts clearly as taught by teachers in the first pace of learning. They require more practice, revision to learn a particular subject. Some students may learn the concept easily than the others. Students affected by dyslexia, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), physical disabilities will take a longer time to memorize a lesson.
Solutions: Provide extra attention to such students as well as ask the parents whenever required, so that some other specialized institutes can assist in the same.
Authority and their rigid system
It is found that the higher authorities, principals, and teachers always push aside accountability while designing the parameters of a school system. At times, they may respond in unreceptive manners, when questioned by parents. The public school system is run by the authorities that are elected local jurisdiction, so changing the system becomes crucial, thus it’s rigid.
Solutions: Set certain methodologies, parameters followed by assessments and reporting can help improve the overall system. Maintain discipline and create the culture of education. Recruit a versatile principal who will has leadership qualities to monitor and guide the school.
Peer Pressure, violence, and social insecurity
There are many students who might bully their classmates and juniors. To a certain extent, they might be abusive, dominant physically or mentally. Teachers should monitor issues like peer pressure and violence in the school. Ignorance on the part of parents and teachers, early in their childhood may develop criminal tendencies amongst students. It is important to maintain a happy atmosphere in the school conducive to every student, whether new or old.
Social aspect plays a vital role in education. Students may be affected adversely by violence, race, or gender discrimination. In such circumstances, they don’t feel free to attend schools. If there is a crucial issue like sexual harassment, it should be solved by strict law and policies thereof.
Solutions: Implement a security system which monitor the students via guards, cameras, etc. Assign a child psychologist who will understand and diagnosis the developmental disorders or mental illness or social insecurities in the students and will also do assessment.
Ignorance about children’s bad habits and addictions
Children imitate the things practiced by their elders. Some might adopt bad habits such as smoking, fighting, stealing, or drug addiction, even in a survey it is found that some student possessed gun.
Solutions: Daily check on student behavior, if found misbehaved or not adhere to the instructions after warning, let parents know about it. Take strict action when required.
Some more issues in public schools
Public schools have no flexibility in their syllabus. Some students complain that they were not taught word spelling or vocabulary in the sixth or seventh grade. Teachers find it incompetence to manage class hours accordingly. Public schools treat all students in the same way; however, some students might need economic support like scholarship, reward, library facility, and vocational education program to excel academically. The children of migrant farm workers and fisherman may discontinue education due to financial crisis in the family. These students may face issues like isolation, poor health, and at times, no moral or financial support from their parents!
Nowadays, private schools are replacing public schools. Private schools are sponsored by particular religious groups that impart worldwide as well as religious education. Parents prefer such private education where they can achieve a complete satisfaction in terms of education. These schools includes the latest teaching and learning methods and techniques such as use of projectors, introduction to Internet via online tests, and improved teaching strategies.
How can we improve Public School?
The U.S. Department of Education had established the ‘National Assessment of Educational Progress’ (NAEP) in 1969. It works on designing methods, curriculum, parameters, and achievement of schools. They conduct an assessment of the public school that work on their framework.
Public schools can prevent violence by providing security to some extent. Their monotonous way of teaching can be improved through online education. Teaching through audio and visual aids makes it more proactive. Homework can be designed in a way that students enjoy studying at home. Sundays or holidays can be utilized for play activities like visiting to a zoo, museum or cultural places. In this way, schools can pay individual attention to each student as per his talent. Home schooling is a new option that provides extra teaching hours for some students.