Make school longer?

Should school-days be lengthened? That’s a suggestion made by Labour’s education spokesman, quoted in the BBC today (click here for the story).

It’s an interesting idea, and one which could, in theory, lift educational standards in the Kingdom. But the fundamental problem in classrooms is not the amount of time spent there, but the learning environment within the classroom. There is no point increasing the length of time a youngster spends in class, if the classroom is not conducive to learning.

And sadly, in too many cases, the classroom is not conducive to learning because discipline is not applied.

There is a fundamental problem which underlies many schools in the United Kingdom. This is the view that children do want to learn, and all they need to do is be shown how to learn, and what to learn, and they will learn it. But the reality is that human nature is fallen, the default position is ‘folly’ not ‘wisdom.’ Students would prefer to fool around than work hard writing essays or learning algebra. In their world such abilities are not necessary, (and in reality they won't be until later life). But this is a message they have to receive on faith – that "it will be for your good later in life, if you learn this (knowledge or skill) now."

The default human position is towards laziness. Students are no different. Only discipline can overcome our natural disposition to do as little as possible for as long as possible.

Therefore, I conclude that the place to begin improving education in her Majesty’s kingdom is not by lengthening the school day, but by re-introducing effective means of discipline (and yes, that includes the possibility of being ‘birched’ or ‘expelled’).

The Bible teaches us that fathers discipline the sons whom they love. And as long as schools are without discipline (starting with a fixed routine, better known as an effective timetable) children will not grow in knowledge or wisdom as they otherwise would. And the absence of discipline means an absence of love.

I’m all for improving educational standards in the Kingdom, but lengthening the school days is not the solution, because it is not the quantity but the quality of the classroom which is conducive to right and successful learning.

Prov. 3:11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

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