Education Kills Creativity

Is Americas education system driving young students away from achieving a dream job, rather than
encouraging him or her to do something of interest? Generally, public education is praised as a
productive, beneficial part of our society. But is our school system really accomplishing what it should?
This past Monday, Sir Ken Robinson released his new book, Epiphany, which argues that our education
system kills the creativity of todays youth. Robinson is an international advisor to the government on
education in the arts. In 2003, he was knighted for his services to education. Robinson spoke at a TED
Talks conference this morning to reinforce the message of his book. He says that our education system
emphasizes the fact that students are never going to get a job doing desirable things. Creativity is the
process of having original ideas that have value, Robinson said. He argues creativity is as important as
literacy.
The performing arts department here at Elon University is starting to feel the effects of Robinsons idea
that education kills creativity. According to Dr. Dean Gallery, chair of the performing arts department at
Elon, Our budget for theatrical productions has been shrinking every year. We are putting on fewer
productions and with less complexity because of the financial constraintsand our rising actors and
actresses are suffering. Fewer students are choosing to major in the arts because there is less of a
chance that they will have a successful career. As a result, the arts department is receiving less funding.
Our education system is structured in such a way that students believe they must do something that will
make money, even if they dont enjoy it. Jeff Cambria, a first-year student at Elon, said, I love jazz
music. But Ive got to be practical and get a degree that will make some money.
According to Elon Universitys 2011-2012 Student Fact Book, Elon only had 51 theatre art majors and 16
music majors. However, there were 233 marketing majors, 154 accounting majors and 239 biology
majors! There is a clear discrepancy between the number of students who major in the arts, and the
number of students who major in the sciences.
Elon second-year student Ryan Hurley is a double major in history and education, but he has a true
passion for photography.
I would love to major in photography because it is what I really enjoy doing, but I just dont see myself
making any decent money out of it in the future, Hurley said. He goes on, If money were no object, I
would be a photography major in a heartbeat.
In schools, children learn that art and physical education arent as important as math, science or the
humanities. Thus, many students aspirations are eliminated early on. Kids have talents and we
squander them, Robinson said. He hopes that his book and his message will help to effect positive
change in education systems around the world.