Boys that fail the school system
Today I read an interesting article in the UK Daily Mail how schools have failed failed boys over the past few years. It indicates that they are increasingly unable to cope with physical and intellectual challenges. This is partly because the system does not value enough of the traditional male things like competition. Schools are not doing well at teaching boys how to be men, instead celebrating qualities more closely associated with girls such as methodical working and attentiveness in class
Whilst some boys may not be as academic, they still have strong common sense and practical skills. The school system currently only rewards boys if they sit quietly at the back of the classroom and don't interrupt. By only encouraging a very narrow band of skills, schools have beaten out of boys any enthusiasm for anything.
The report author is demanding a stepping up of efforts to recruit more male teachers and encourage competitive instincts with changes to classroom teaching practices. He indicates that boys needed to be able to "value something about being male" while acknowledging women had an equal place in society.
The position has provoked fury amongst some educators who have demanded to see more specific curriculum details and that cultural expectations have been ignored.
It has given me room to think about the value of our school sports program and the games club that currently engage the boys at our school.