School

Back in elementary- and high school they taught us a lot useful of stuff. Sadly, I can’t even remember half of it. In large, apart from the sociological aspect of being with other kids and socialize – and the whole life learning experience – school was pointless. We could might as well stayed home and played Nintendo. That was fun.

We learned about the sexual organs. We learned names, functions, and appearances. We got to know what’s in the inside and what’s on the outside. What do we remember? Sex of course. The way kiddies are born. And that we all need to go to the toilet every now and then. But, for most of us, other knowledge is gone. Except for the perverts of course, they remember. And the doctors (although I seriously doubt anyone in my high school became a doctor. Ever!).

Anyway, in elementary- and high school it was compulsorily to learn the art of male and female handicraft; to make stuff in woods and metal, such as baseball bats and ashtrays; to learn how to stitch and how to handle textiles. I remember making a cute little bag, unfortunately, I hated every single class. And the teachers too.

We also got enlightened in the art of making food. It was a simple concept really: we learned how to make food and the teachers had free lunch every day. But if we wanted to have the food we worked so hard on – we had to buy it. This same process continued through early elementary school to high school. I hated these class too.

There were many others subjects like these, too many of them really. So instead I’ll focus on the good parts: English and mathematics. I later in life realized how important these subjects are. I enjoyed English and it was pretty easy. Math on the other hand I hated. Hated it so bad, I almost failed. Several times. But math is really a must to know and very important; I knew it back then, and I still do. Unfortunately, I didn’t get it and still don’t! (and I’m planning on taking math next term!).

When looking back, I wish the teachers would have taught us useful and important stuff, like English and math, and skipped unnecessary subjects. But hey, I have a suggestion. In “my” Elementary- and high school there would be two core subjects: English and mathematics.

English is important, seeing as it’s becoming a universal language these days. Also, English is fairly easy to learn, in contrast to many other languages (well Swedish is even easier, but I don’t see it going international any time soon). Mathematics, hate it – wish I knew it. Math is one of those rare things which are extremely good to know. If you’re okay with math, there’s no need to bring a calculator long when you go shopping. It’s all in your head.

In addition, there would be subjects like Geography (it’s important to know both national and international cities, other countries, etc), History (everybody should know both his or hers country’s history, as well as important/major events worldwide), Biology (focused on the planet, nature, animals, and us), Social Science (how to behave in a society, what’s right and wrong, laws, etc), Gymnastics (in order to stop people from getting to big, physical exercises is a MUST), and of course for the small kiddies Play- and Individual time (an invaluable opportunity for kids to discover things about others and themselves).

It is my belief that these seven or eight subjects are well enough. They may seen a bit stiff and hard for kids, but children at this age learn fast and childhood memories usually stick for a very long time. The lessons can be held in funny ways. Maybe not so many books and texts, but more playing. These subjects are important and helpful for both small kids and teenagers, in their development into adulthood. Instead of bombing them with other subjects and information, let them have longer breaks and more free time. This way they’ll be more focused in class.

Anyway, it’s just my opinions and you might not agree. You might even say “Well, what if the kiddo discovers he or she likes chemistry while taking the Chemistry class. If the kid never have the chance to learn the subject, how can he or she become a chemistry scientist”? You know what, who cares? He or she won’t! Chemistry sucks.

Nah seriously, I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure that people – kids, teenagers, and adults – sooner or later find out what we want to know. For instance, if the kids won’t discover the differences between males and females in the Biology class, I’m sure they discover it in Playboy (kiddies know about this magazine, make no mistake!). Further, if they’re interested in something, it’s just to search the web. Thank God for Google!

I really miss my old Nintendo. We all should stayed home and playing, that was fun. Elementary- and high school wasn’t.