Secrets to Educational Triumph! Noureddine Boutahar

In my exploration of successful education systems across the globe, encompassing countries like Finland, Singapore, Germany, and Iceland, a consistent theme emerges: success isn't just a happy accident; it's the result of deliberate and strategic brilliance. These nations have artfully crafted a mosaic of practices and values, working in perfect harmony to yield extraordinary educational achievements.

A cornerstone of these successful systems is the emphasis on having high-quality educators. Teachers within these systems typically come from esteemed colleges and universities, a deliberate choice aimed at ensuring a sustained high standard of pedagogical expertise. Recognizing the pivotal role educators play, these successful systems go the extra mile to ensure fair compensation, acknowledging the significant contribution teachers make in shaping the future generation.

Moreover, these cultures place an undeniably significant value on education, recognizing it not merely as a means to personal development but as a crucial tool for broader economic advancement. This societal mindset fosters a deep-seated commitment to the pursuit of educational excellence.

In these systems, equality stands as a guiding principle, with nearly all students attending public schools, effectively minimizing the disparities that often characterize the schism between private and public education. Complementing this commitment to equality are the deliberately small class sizes, averaging around 20 students. Furthermore, up to three teachers may be present in a class, with one dedicated specifically to assisting struggling students, thereby providing personalized support.

An additional testament to the commitment to nurturing relationships is the prolonged interaction between teachers and students. Teachers often remain with the same group of students for up to five years, ensuring a sense of continuity and familiarity. This extended relationship allows teachers to intimately understand the strengths and weaknesses of each student, contributing to a more tailored and effective learning experience.

Formal education in these countries takes a departure from conventional practices by commencing at the age of seven. This intentional delay allows ample time for play and exploration during a child's formative years, recognizing the importance of holistic development beyond academic pursuits.

Another distinctive feature is the limited emphasis on testing, with formal exams deferred until the age of 16. This aligns with a pivotal juncture where students undergo assessments to guide their career or college choices. This intentional approach alleviates the pressure of testing, providing students with the freedom to develop holistically without the burden of excessive assessments.

The well-designed and balanced daily schedules in these systems, extending from 8:00 to 14:30 with a 30-minute lunch break, lay the foundation for an optimal learning environment. Firstly, they promote active involvement in extracurricular activities and the pursuit of personal interests, contributing to a more comprehensive and enriching educational experience. Secondly, by preventing students from spending the entire day at school, the schedules mitigate the risk of developing a disdain for the learning environment, preventing it from turning into a snoozy, prison-like scene that nobody wants to be in.

Streamlining education programs and curricula is a hallmark of these successful systems. By concentrating on essential subjects, knowledge, and skills while minimizing unnecessary complexities and workload for students, these systems guarantee a well-rounded and meaningful education.

Last but not least, the commitment to state support for teachers in these successful systems is palpable through various initiatives that ensure favorable working conditions. For instance, comprehensive professional development programs are offered to educators, equipping them with the latest teaching methodologies and tools. Additionally, the provision of modern classroom resources, such as interactive technology and up-to-date textbooks, exemplifies the dedication to supplying teachers with the necessary materials to facilitate effective learning environments.

In stark contrast to our education systems that commodify and devalue teachers, successful and ideal educational systems recognize the profound significance of quality educators, equal opportunities, and a holistic approach to student development. Without these key elements, our dream of a successful and nurturing educational environment for the future is just a whimsical fantasy. Without genuine reform, we will persist in passing the blame like a game of hot potato, tossing responsibility between us until the day when everything inevitably crumbles!

New Year 2009

Another year passes and a new one takes its place, taking us deeper into the 21st century. But looking forward to the near future and backward to recent years I have to admit that there is proof and many reasons to be worried. World peace has gone downhill and will undoubtedly continue its slide. I cannot recall a single day without a news or report of something terrible happening somewhere, especially in the Middle East. One feels disheartened and horrified to see the kind of violent acts being committed each and every day there. The escalation of the conflict has culminated in a real bloodshed in Gaza this week. Many, like me, have watched the tragedy with horror, disgust, indignation, revulsion, and disbelief.

Yes, another New Year rolled around again and the gap between the rich and the poor and middle class continues to widen. The poor continue to finance the rich and to writhe in their deteriorating plight : unbelievable poverty, deprivation, diseases, unemployment, illiteracy, famine, filth, squalor and the list is endless. Mysticism, cults, and drugs have seen an upsurge in recent years in an attempt to escape the harsh reality. Alas, no.

One more year into the 21st century and still human rights abuse, democracy deterioration, justice absence all over the globe go from bad to worse, and violators go scot-free. ‘Public servants’ seek office for selfish motivations and lucrative reasons. Ironically, it is the public, in most cases, that serves these leaders and policy makers.

A new year arrives filled with hopes and promises. It is usually a time for many to regroup, to play or listen to beautiful music, to sing songs, to do decorations, and to feast on special foods. It is an opportunity for many to make resolutions as people have done since the time of the Babylonians. It is an occasion for them to ‘decide’ to quit smoking or/and drinking, to save or earn more money, to eat healthier, to exercise more, to become more organized, to spend more time with family, and to become better people. People make resolution because they want to change for the better ; however, change is difficult : Unless people’s nature changes, God will not change anything around them. Also, the trouble with resolutions is that they are so easy to break. Making resolutions is, as well, succumbing to the cult of faddism. So wishes, instead, would be good enough for me : I need no job promotion, no more money, no bigger house, no better car…not right now.

My first and last wish is for a peaceful, joyful, and happy world. To achieve this, we need to develop a sense of universal responsibility. We need to develop a new world ethic and abide by it. We need to foster greater understanding between different faiths and cultures. We need to introduce and give adequate attention to Peace Education because ‘the child is the promise of mankind’. Education is the mother and the alma mater. We need to nurture peace in the heart of children, to preserve their innocence from being spoilt, and to create a peaceful and sustainable future by introducing Peace Education as a subject at school. Peace education could be the umbrella theme for conflict resolution, tolerance, democracy, understanding diversity, and so on. We need to pull the proverbial finger out and hurry up to save what could be saved.

Turn the floodlights on today's education and you will discover that it has created Frankensteins threatening to destroy the world. Our system of education has spawned wars, hatred, violence, terrorism, revenge, vanity, egoism, and greed just to name a few dangers that stalk the modern world.

Our system of education has not been adequate and has not been useful to the pupils. It has been too materialistic and has been teaching half-truths. And since there is cause for every effect, the effects and results of our education is, regretfully, what you see around you today. Dishonesty, dog-eat-dog competition, billionaires seeking more billions, religious bigotry, racial discrimination, class distinction, and so on.

I may seem a bit fatalistic about the system of education as it is, but I always judge things by their outcome. Turn the searchlight on today’s leaders, policy, modern technology, commerce and industry, social order and you will discover that they have all gone to the dogs. They have become decadent because our education has become defunct. And if we just ignore the condition and turn a blind eye at it, things will deteriorate beyond repair. Education is a means by which mankind could be saved or destroyed.

Happy New Years Moslems -1430 - and Christians -2009- and sorry for being ominous and not painting a beautiful picture of the future.