Category: Education

Each year, schools start their new academic year and all the students are required to purchase new uniforms which they would be required to wear at all times they are present in school or take part in any school-related activities. While a school uniform imposes uniformity and gets everyone to conform to school regulations, the fact remains that insisting on a uniform can have its own consequences. This is why we need to take a closer look at school uniforms and some of the negative aspects associated with the same.

One of the most often uttered criticisms against uniforms of all types is that it allows little or no room for individuality. In fact, most organizations from schools to the armed forces prohibit their uniforms from being customized for wear and insist that all candidates maintain and uphold the uniform code in line with their regulations and rules. The fact is that while this is to be expected in the armed forces, young school children are often forced to conform to school regulations and are mandatorily required to wear school uniforms every day of their school. As recent studies had indicated, forcing young children to wear a certain type of dress, especially during the all-important formative years can have a lasting impact on the choices they make and in their very lives. It can eat into their individuality and it is this individuality that enables them to formulate their own choices and take key decisions. In fact, a few studies have already indicated that forcing the uniform on young kids can make them less confident about taking key decisions and often have a tendency to avoid the limelight.

The other troubling part about uniforms is that it allows no room for self-expression. Granted that most schools have rigid rules regarding students modifying their uniforms by opting for different colors or even wearing an armband and there are in fact cases, where schools have suspended some of their students for daring to do the unthinkable. But all said and done, uniforms often restricts creativity and this often results in innovative ideas, expressions and thoughts never taking form or shape as a result of being made to conform to the uniform code. It is important that kids are encouraged to become more creative and innovative during their formative years and wearing the same uniform for several hours on end can end up restricting their creative flow.

These are some of the negative aspects of wearing uniforms; in fact, some schools have taken their uniform code to ridiculous levels where hair accessories are banned along with large earrings. Of course, logic often has little or no role to play when schools come up with these rules. It is important that you realize the negative aspects that come with wearing a uniform day in and day out.

It’s that time of the year when millions of school children worldwide sit down to take their standardized tests; while overseas students compete with American students for entry into prestigious programs, only a select few make it across the finish line. One would have assumed that the benefits would far outweigh the costs but the opposite seems to hold true where standardized tests are concerned and here’s to taking a closer look at some of the associated negative effects of standardized tests.

• Extreme stress: Students are often forced to take preparatory courses for standardized tests along with advanced test prep courses, PSATs and more tests. In the end, by the time the student graduates from school, he would have taken several tests and would have been told time and time again how these scores would decide his very future. This, unfortunately, causes the student to experience high levels of stress as a result of preparing for these standardized tests and having to worry about the test scores.
• Self-esteem: Some of these standardized tests are normed in the sense that they are designed to fail a certain number of students, during each sitting. And being exposed to such tests, testing atmosphere constantly and failing in several of them can have a residual knock-down effect on one’s self-esteem. This is why it is important for these students who often internalize their failures to seek counseling. If left unchecked, it can lead to students undergoing a personality change to developing chronic health condition as a result of the high stress.
• School closure: Schools are also judged on the basis of how many students successfully clear their standardized tests each year and how many scores really high on the same. If a school does not show stellar results each year, it is considered as a failure and put on notice by the board of education. And If the situation does not improve, then the school may have valuable resources, such as lab, research facilities taken away eventually leading to school closure. This may seem unfair and it is, as most of the school closures take place in the poor districts.
• Lack of actual learning: With all the students being brainwashed to prep for these standardized tests, there’s very little time left for any actual learning. In fact, during the last year in school, students spend more time on tests and preparatory courses than they do on learning anything useful. This can also stem both curiosity and creativity on the part of the student.
• Reduced content knowledge: With more time being spent on preparing for the standardized tests these students often lack the ability to master any one subject which is a bit alarming.

These are some of the negative effects associated with standardized tests; with each year, it is getting harder and harder to get into exclusive schools and specialty programs. With more emphasis being placed on standardized tests and unrealistic high scores, more students are being exposed to high stress on a daily basis, as they prepare to take the standardized tests the following year.

K to 12 (k to twelve or K-12) is an education program, that covers kindergarten (k) and 12 years of basic education. Countries which employ this program includes the United States, Canada, Australia, India, South Korea, and Iran  among others. It prepares the students for technical courses, skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship. The program focuses on the life-long learning, clarification of general concepts, and basic mathematical calculations, and an important aspect of an educated student. A k-12 system comprises two additional years, compared to the traditional education system. Figures say that young adult graduating at age 18 seems better prepared to take on tertiary education. Here, we will discuss some pros and cons regarding the system.

Positive effects of k to 12:

K-12 provides numerous benefits with aspiring opportunities.

Self-development

It dominates conventional education system, as it focuses on the thinking abilities, high mental functioning through academic activities, and making self-explanatory conclusions of various concepts. The assignments given to students develop an intellectual and learning habit and become a means of revising topic taught in class. Longer educational cycle of k to 12 gives ample time to master basic academic skills and participate in co-curricular and community activities.

Enhances education quality

Teachers give individual attention to every student and make them understand all subjects. Like a conventional education system, a every student bring their books material, get notes, and submit assignments, but in addition, K-12 classes encourages students to take part in the lecture by questioning and sharing their vision on discussed topics. Students join different forums and educational clubs as per interests and improve their skills by observing everyone’s view point.

Top infrastructure

To provide students an opportunity to utilize the system in best possible way, schools employ foremost infrastructure. It motivates students to use their full potential in understanding and learning complex subjects.

Door to professional courses

This innovative education system is superior in its merits. K-12 system helps students work individually and find solutions on their own. They become self-determining, confident, and indulgent. Students start to discover their capabilities and become confident in choosing their career paths. An extra 2 years makes them matured enough to realize their capabilities. At times, students want to work along with studying in college. It enables the graduates to join the work force after the high school.

Pre-college education

The senior high school years provide prior technical or related knowledge to the students. With the k-12 system, students don’t rush to get an admission in an institution, but find the complete college information. K-12 program provides them with time to think of specific working field and choose colleges/institutions. It gives them prior knowledge of specific fields including arts, science, and commerce among others. This way, students don’t feel new to the education provided in national colleges.

Negative effects of k to 12:

For some students and regions, K-12 might prove unrewarding.

Delayed working experience

A traditional educational system constitutes 10 grades as compared to 12 in the k to twelve program. The additional years create obstacle in working earlier, which means a student starts to earn at a time succeeding few years of technical course. K-12 might prove unsuitable for the poor children, who need to give an earning hand to their parents at a young age. Also, students stay in dilemma regarding their career and keep changing courses.

Increases Inequality

In several developing nations, most education institutions and local government bodies find it difficult to afford an expensive education system. Thousands of institutions are still operating with traditional methods. This has increased inequality among the students of different regions.

Assignments load

Lots of assignments foster a burden on students that can hamper their prime focus of learning and skill development. The priority becomes completing the assignment and students might lose actual meaning of studying and taking classes. This leads to the vanishing prime aim of producing excellent human resources for the nation growth and progress, through such education systems.

K-12 system brought revolution in the Indian education system. At the time of independence, India’s literacy rate was 12% and today, it has reached 74%, owing to the effective educational system. Most of the educational institutions in India have introduced this methodology and results include improved students performance. Various governments and policymakers are working toward making their K-12 system qualitative by including digital means and professionals through trade in services. Today, the world needs high knowledgeable human resource, who can benefit in limiting the hazardous weaponry environment and rapid climate change with the advanced technology usage.