The drums are beating, yet again, demanding schools raise standards and listen to anyone who proclaims they have run tests and have bad news. Curriculum changes will be made, experts will write reports and those on the oars will be instructed to row harder, in several different directions. And none of this will make any difference, apart from persuading good teachers to become real estate agents or leap into the parallel fire of social work.
It is my belief that we do need to make changes, but they will be effective only if they are changes to the very structure of our primary schools. Structural changes bring about changes in values and practice. If you doubt this, imagine the physical structure of our law courts morphing from their current, multilevel rectangular structures into circular, single-level buildings with windows.
Denne historien er fra May 27 - June 2 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra May 27 - June 2 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prÞveperiode pÄ Magzter GOLD for Ä fÄ tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
