Give me a school where we can talk on equal terms with our teachers on sex, morals, religion, etc.; a school where personality and brain-building come first and diplomas and certificates last. After all, a diploma or a degree isn’t the perfect vaccine against stupidity.
Cosette age 17
What’s the point of taking facts from a book and teaching them to pupils? In a book, facts are in a logical order and correct. In the brain of most pupils they’re muddled and frequently wrong. Surely it’s far better to leave the facts in convenient books and to teach the pupils to think.
Alan age 17
I’m tired of hearing that the hope of my country lies in my generation. If you give me the same indoctrination, how can you expect me to be different from you?
Diana age 15
The only imagination I use in arithmetic is when I guess the answer.
Melissa age 11
— What do you think?
Do you agree with Cosette? Do you think that pupils should be able to talk about important, personal things with their teachers? Or do you think they prefer to talk to their parents or simply to each other? Give your reasons. In most schools, exams are very important. Cosette thinks they should be less important. Do you agree with her? Do you want to pass a lot of exams? Give your reasons.
Do you think Melissa would agree with Alan? Why?
Is Diana right? Do you think you’ve been indoctrinated? Have older people told you: “You must believe this, you mustn’t believe that”? If so, give some examples, and say where you agree and where you don’t agree.
— Conclusion
What do you think of school? What do you like, and what do you dislike? Write a list of your opinions, using expressions like : I believe that...; I’d like to...; it’s no good... -ing; it’s wrong to...; the trouble is...; what’s the point of... -ing?; surely it’s far better to...; I’m tired of...; we should...