Friday 17 January 2014

Is school really necessary?

I have recently been with a group of students that unfortunately have had the sad experience of failing grade 12. I told them that failing grade 12 is not the end of the world, as they still have a chance to make up for it but, I also told them that this could be one of the most important steps in their life, not only because it's the end of their high school experience but this also marks the beginning of  a new stage in their lives as they prepare to face the world.

I asked them what they think this meant for them and surprisingly, or not, many of these young peers assumed that being successful does not really depend on passing grade 12, which is debatebale, but I was shocked when few even went as far as saying that school isn't really a necessity in the lives of people. Never did I think, I would come across people with that mindset in this era. School holds us back yes, but there are advantages.

Life's a school itself, and having school experience is not only about having to study maths and science, but it teaches us how to interact with people of all types. School is the first glance we get at being involved in society and understanding it. It helps us, weather we like it or not, and it's up to us to use that to our advantage. It's impossible for human beings to live alone for we need each other because that's in our DNA, that's how we were made and school just makes it easier for us to understand that. I understand everyone has their own opinions, but I don't think I'd be able to write what I am right now if I did not go through the school experience.