I guess you have a point, Christy... and it could be argued that this is a reflection of the case that so many parents (and I see a lot of these in a private school) wish to completely abdicate themselves from all responsibilities regarding the education and discipline of their child. They send them to a private school so that we can "fix" the child. Sadly, by the time they get to us, the damage has been done and it's too late.

I think that some people (myself included) can easily lose sight of the fact that schools are not the only places responsible for education - kids are going to learn a lot (and should be!) learning a lot at home, at church, with different sporting organisations, etc.

One thing is for sure... I'll be making sure my son knows how to cook and clean as well as fix a car and a toaster and all other assorted random skills. Even if it's his father that does the majority of the teaching!

Perhaps it's also a sign of the readiness to place all blame on teachers, rather than point at parents for their failures. I'm not entirely sure I'm using the right words... must be time to go off and have a nap and see if I can get my thoughts more in order on this.

And there's one fact. No school can adequately prepare a student to join the workforce as a plumber or carpenter while also adequately preparing someone to go onto further studies to become a doctor or lawyer. A school can not be all things to all people - Would we not be better off teaching students the skills they need to help them find out for themselves what they will need to know.

BW