Essay

Education system:

• What changes would you like to see in our education system?
• Do you think there is a need for change in the educational system of your country?
• How would you improve the teaching of science in schools in your country?
• Do schools try to teach too much?
• Are students taught too much?
• How can modern technology be used as an aid to learning in schools?
• Discuss the place of competition in education.
• What are the qualities of a good teacher?
• What are the qualities of a successful teacher?
• What makes a successful school?
• Are examinations really necessary?
• Is studying abroad a better and easier option?
  • Demerits:
    • Problems with adapting
    • Cultural erosion
    • Difficulty in adapting to local culture when they return home
    • Students may get influenced to undesirable practices and values
    • Erosion of mother tongue
    • Home-sick, food-sick
    • Brain-drain
    • No one to turn to in times of trials and temptations
    • Alienated by the foreigners
  • Merits:
    • Have to live independently
    • Cultural exposure
    • Becomes more mature and outgoing
    • Can take courses not available locally
    • Flexibility to choose the course you want to pursue
    • Broad based overseas education
    • Improves relationship with loved ones
    • Make students treasure/appreciate home even more
    • Many employers prefer people with foreign education

Curriculum content:

• What do you consider to be the essential ingredients of an effective General Paper course?
• “Science versus Humanitites”: which is more important?
• What do we mean by “study skills” and how could they be best taught in schools?
• Is sound knowledge of science and technology essential for a well educated-person in today’s world?
• As technology advances, our leisure time is increasing. Do we need to be educated in how to use time sensibly?
• “A comprehensive programme of sex education should be made a compulsory component of the secondary school curriculum.” Do you agree?
• How can schools best teach thinking sklls?
• Is it possible to teach people to be creative?

Function:

• “Most education systems do not adequately prepare children for life in the real world.” How true is this of the education system of your country?
• What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of a university education for a businessman or woman?
• Apart from school, which are the major influences that have contributed to your education? How effective has each influence been?
• “Education does not develop individuality but conformity.” Is such a statement always true?
• Does education seek to serve the needs of the individual or the needs of society?
• Do most societies subscribe to the same principles and aims in their education system?
• Really, education is about getting a good job. How far do you agree?
• “The main function of education should be to enable people to gain employment.” Do you agree?
• What are the main impressions of your school days that you will carry into later life?
• How will you view your school days after you have left school?

Discipline:

• Assess the importance of discipline in your life.
• “Parents are largely to blame for the increasing lack of discipline in schools” Do you agree?
• What are your views regarding corporal punishment in schools?