Countless letters, articles, and day-in-the-life s have been floating around about the education crisis lately. If you have been reading them, you know how teachers have been undervalued for over a decade, how special needs and school programs have been underfunded and neglected, and how underhanded and illegal tactics have been forced on education and big-business dinosaurs have taken precedence over our children's education. I have read opinions from many teachers, many parents supporting teachers, and many students who are outraged at the treatment of public schools.
But what about the rest of the province, who don't have a vested interest? Childless men and women, retirees, parents whose children are grown, tax-payers who don't work in the education genre? Why should they care? They should care. Everyone should care.
Education is the foundation of our society; it shapes the citizens of tomorrow. I know that's a cliche, "the children are our future" and all that, but it is more true than you think. There is an opportunity within our public schools to change the economical dynamic of our province. The budget concerns all come down to early intervention. Let me explain: If we allow schools to instill in our children healthy living habits, those habits will make a huge impact on their health for the rest of their lives. Individually, that will create healthier, happier, more productive adults. Collectively that will create a far lesser drain on our healthcare system, and save us money in the long-run on preventable health issues!
What would this look like? How about organic vegetable gardens that the children tend. Preparing and eating healthy snacks together as a class so students and teachers (and parents and families) can discuss healthy eating habits and discover how easy and delicious it is to make healthier choices. How about DPA (daily physical activity) that actually works... kids would try a variety of games and sports, be instructed on proper techniques to avoid injury, and learn the value and benefit of exercise. Lots of teachers are already doing these things with great results, but we need it to be wide scale. FUNDED. And what would we get out of it? A generation of young adults who are: happy with their bodies and who know how to set and achieve goals, non-smokers with lower risks associated with cancer, obesity, heart disease, eating disorders and liver failure.
Healthy living isn't the only area that can change our long-term outcome. We can instill programs that will teach our future innovators the value of resource conservation, political awareness, critical thinking, productivity, and generosity. And where would our province be then?
I have heard the argument that these things are for the family to teach. Schools already teach all the basics, why should they have to feed and clothe and teach right and wrong as well? Isn't that for parents to handle? Yes, ideally it would be. But just as many parents already read to their children, teach them to ride a bike, give them healthy meals, and play math games with them, many do not. We can't control the many variables in children's homes - parents are doing their best with what they have, and everyone has their own priorities. No parent can be expected to do it all. Many parents weren't taught these habits, so how can they pass them on to their children?
This is why it is important to raise your voice in support of education. Even if you have no children in school now . Even if you don't know the issues teachers face or remember one teacher you didn't like from grade 8 when you were 13. Even if you made your own way without any help from the system or despite the obstacles with which you were faced. Even if you gave up on school because it "wasn't your thing" or because you weren't helped when you needed it. Others need it, and we need the resources to reach every one of them. And you do live in the society, use the resources, and interact with the citizens of BC.
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