School Does Not Adequately Prepare Students For Real Life

The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.
In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson. (Bodett)
There are 13 years of primary education in Canada. legally, it is mandatory for students to
attend school until they have reached 16 years of age. Particular courses offered annually
during these years include sciences, social studies, language arts and mathematics. There are
approximately 15, 000 elementary schools in Canada, and not a single one prepares students
for the challenges of real life. The teachers give several unnecessary second chances, the
school atmosphere provides a sense of false security, and they have yet to offer courses on
social or financial skills.

Through the entirety of the Canadian education system, students are given several necessary
chances that are not offered after graduation, causing a form of culture shock as they attempt to
advance themselves in general life.
School boards have removed numerous disciplinary customs that have previously been in place
within schools, such as allowing students to get zero percent on incomplete assignments or
getting detention. Removing these disciplines allows students to forget about consequences
when they should occur in grade school. If an assignment is handed in late, or not at all,
teachers have been revoked of their privilege to give a zero. The mentality of "I'll finish that
later." and "I'll do it on my own time." Is now implented into the mindset of kids. When the child
reaches secondary education and eventually the workplace, this attitude will not be tolerated.
Not only are diciplines in place, there are large consequences if the work you are doing is
incomplete or inadequate. If students were taught at a young age of the very real and natural
consequences they will encounter in life, they would be far more prepared when their own
actions have negative repercussions.
In the same fashion, teachers often give students the option to re-write tests or re-do
assignments, and as a result, allows kids to think once again that they do not have to be
accountable. If a school child does not prepare and consequently fails, re-doing the exam
should not be an option. When writing university level tests, the students are required to study,
prepare themselves and pass the examination. Simple consequences follow if students are
unsuccessful: they will not pass the course. As well, when the student reaches their chosen
occupation, there will be no avoiding authority. Rules must be followed, and failure to do so
could result in termination. Ultimately, if students are allowed such leway in the school setting,
they will be unable to problem solve to their full potential when it is most crucial.

In addition to removing several disciplines, schools offer a handful of options that provide a false
sense of security for students. Students who previously strived for higher goals and were
rewarded are no longer receiving awards, for it [makes] everyone happy. (Winn) and does not
[hurt] the self-esteem and pride of those who do not receive a certificate. (St. Basil school
officials). Jason Redelbacks 14-year-old son hates their decision, and doesnt think getting rid
awards and ceremonies is helping the students. When you start to take away the recognition of
a job well done, what you end up doing is you take away someones well-being, what theyve
done here is take away something of value and purpose. (Redelback)

Students who never really had the success to get academic awards have lost the extra
incentive, making it more difficult for them to achieve excellent grades. Though their feelings
may be intact, their ability to transition and keep passing grades from junior high to university
level work is damaged. Taking action in attempt to not hurt feelings, school boards are
unnecessary filing down motivation by a substantial amount. As students progress into further
education, hard workers are awarded daily. Without learning how to strive for goals, students
can be put at an unfair disadvantage compared to other children who have been practising this
skill for years. Even little awards, such as Employee of the Month, or Most Improved occur
everywhere in life. Trying to avoid hurting feelings is only going last a couple years, and in the
long run, do more damage than good. Although a piece of paper from a junior high office printer
may not mean anything in reality, its key to start children off in the mindset of trying their
hardest in life.

As well, schools have prohibited any type of nuts from coming into their lunchrooms to protect
children with nut allergies. It does make things quite easier for children and their parents with
these nut allergies during their school years, but in preparation for the future, it does the
opposite. In public situations, there are no bans on nut products. If the individual with an allergy
has been in a nut free environment their whole lives, they will not be prepared if after primary
school they find themselves in an area that has nut exposure. If the child had been aware of
their allergy throughout their childhood, they would be far more prepared than if they had lived in
a nut-free environment their entire lives. Consequently, If schools removed these cautionary
terms, students would be far more prepared for when they are pushed out into the real word,
with no bubble of safety that was previously provided by their primary schools.

The main thing that students need to know is not what to think, but how to think in order to face
new challenges and and solve new problems. (Lang)

Some of the courses offered in primary school include basic sciences, mathematics, language
arts and social studies. Which, if a student would like to pursue a career that requires these
courses, would help them immensely in their academics. It would not, however, help them in
any way with getting through life socially or financially. Schools choose not to offer any courses
on real life problem solving, including dealing with money, or how to act around different the
kinds of people they encounter. If schools were to offer even one or two courses on the basic
skills needed in life, students would be far prepared coming out of grade school.

Most students find themselves in large debt coming out of university. Not only is secondary
education taxing mentally, but also financially. While taking full time classes, its quite difficult to
find time and a job that will pay the average $6,348 per-year tuition, along with food, and
somewhere to live. Going into life on your own, without any sort of preparation can be
frightening and extremely stressful. If students would have had the chance to learn tips and
tricks to save and handle their money more responsibly, it would be much easier students and
the people around them.

Human interaction is one of the most important things in society. To get to the top, its essential
to be able to talk efficiently to the people who can make or break a career. Knowing how to
communicate in a way that is clear, precise and mature is difficult, especially coming from a
place where an individual has had no real experience in effectively talking to superiors. To avoid
awkward situations and to allow students to be more comfortable talking to the people around
them, schools should offer a class on social communication in the working world.
Throughout the Canadian education system, there are many flaws that cause unpreparedness
and intense stress as students graduate into their next chapter of life. There is no help offered in
handling money or jobs, or assisting children with their ability to communicate. Schools have
created an atmosphere that is isolating their kids from the real dangers of society and they have
taken away vital punishments, filing down problem solving skills. Although schooling is the most
prevalent idea in a childs life, it does not provide any guidance when they are pushed into the
unforgiving working world, with no teacher or parents to protect them. Without learning how to
come up with solutions, young adults will be unsure how to respond to lifes tests. If schools
changed their values from purely academic to caring about life after graduation, students would
be much more calm and prepared coming out of high school and entering into the adult world.