Centre Details:
Centre Number: IA119
Centre Name : Pramiti School A Unit Of Crossover Education Trust
Candidate Details:
Candidate Number: 0022
Candidate Name: Shaurya Akkina
Syllabus Details:
Syllabus Code: 0500
Syllabus Title: First Language English
Component Code: 03
Component Title: Coursework Portfolio
Coursework Details:
Coursework: Argumentative
Draft Number: Final draft
Date of Submission: 6/01/2025
Article: Schools Are Outdated, It’s Time For Reform
Dear Paul Boyce, 6/01/2025
I have recently stumbled upon your article, “Schools are outdated. It’s time for reform.” As a
person who is going to a school which is very futuristic, forefront, and very different from the
standard schools, I firmly agree about schools being outdated. The majority of the schools are
outdated and definitely require a reform according to the future and the children. I strongly agree
with the majority of your points and I am here to discuss them and add a couple of more points to
convey my stance.
“By continuing along with this standardized type of schooling, we are putting millions at a
disadvantage.” I completely agree with your point. Universities these days give a lot of value to
the portfolio of a child, but the standardised schools only focusing on the marks, can spoil the
child's future in terms of academics and personality. A portfolio of a child has so much value that
many leading universities in India have given admissions to a few children due to their
extraordinary portfolio, even though their grades were not up to the mark.
“Roughly 20 to 30 kids of the same age are stuffed into a classroom and taught by one teacher.”
This is a major issue that you have brought up. The attention given to each child decreases as the
class strength increases; this can lead to the child going down the wrong paths. Mary Lee Smith
is an American professor and academic researcher, and known for her meta-analysis. According
to research, Smith and many more, have established the benefits of smaller class size and proved
that it is better academically.
Many of your points are very relatable as I myself am a grade 10 learner. “They train students to
know the answers. However, they don’t train them on how to find the answers.”, Howard
Gardner, an American psychologist known for his theory of multiple intelligences also states a
similar statement. This is precisely the reason why students fail to answer questions that are
asked in a different manner but are required to apply the same concept. Schools are not teaching
essential skills required in the real world as mentioned by you. These essential skills like critical
thinking are the ones that make the children stand high in the future, it is necessary to realise and
shift focus to such skills. I also claim to include more of reality(being more practical) into
subjects being taught. A school's duty is not only to educate children, but it is also to nurture
their minds and foster their independence and strong character.
I strongly agree about each child having a preferred way of learning, and teaching only in one
manner puts a million at disadvantage. I myself am a visual learner and sometimes find it hard to
catch words and understand, but I would grab the concept very well with perhaps a diagram. I
am afraid it may be difficult for each student to have it their way, but the possible solution can be
for the teacher to incorporate different styles and get creative, and for the student to also put in
effort to learn better from other styles too.
“However, once the test is taken, is the information truly absorbed?”. Well, my friends and I,
answer this with a no! Your article brought to my attention new facts within myself, and I
completely agree that the knowledge is not truly absorbed, as I have seen this case within my
friends and myself. The majority of academic learning is focused on preparing for exams. “It is
clear that the current system is generally based upon memory—who can memorize the most
information to prepare for the test.”, how on spot and correct can your statements get?!
Schools have turned into a very standardised way losing out the whole purpose and the essence
of schools. A student should find the fun in learning the subject rather than scoring in it. As
many people agree, society demands the reform of schools! Schools are not for memorising and
scoring in a test. It is rather an institution designed to educate children, nurture them, help them
become independent, and develop the skill sets required for adulthood. In short, it can be
regarded as an institution that prepares the world's future. With problems in hand, there are
solutions too. It is never too late for anything. I am very grateful to you for writing this article.
Let us all take the necessary actions that are in our hands for the reform to take place!
Regards,
Shaurya Akkina.
[words: 761]