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As featured in Parentdish

Sunday 30 January 2011

Exam factory



Recently, while reporting for the Times Educational Supplement I had the pleasure of visiting Cumbernauld College’s Kirkintilloch campus to report on their artist in residence Pearl Kinnear. Pearl has worked with the students and helped them get involved in community projects such as that at the Croy Miners’ Community.

I liked their attitude – Pearl’s and the college’s. They weren’t doing this to improve grades. They were doing it to get young people involved and to get them enjoying learning so that the college wasn’t simply an exam factory.

Whatever happened to enjoying history, maths, or science? Whatever happened to reading? In the recent Pisa survey it was noted that fewer Scottish children read for pleasure than in many other successful countries.

I find learning fun. Which is why I keep on learning. Who honestly wants to spend their lives learning if they don’t think it is fun.

1 comment:

  1. Preach! Some things have no survival value, but they give value to survival.

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