There are issues in urban education that have refused to go away despite decades of debate. These concerns have been the subject of contention between educationists, policy makers and other stake holders. These urban education issues will only be solved once their historical perspective is scrutinized and an amicable solution sort.
The challenges of metropolitan areas differ by far with those of rural areas yet the regions receive similar attention. Teachers and educator in rural areas are in no better position than those in metropolitan areas. Their challenges are unique only that they are not similar. However, the challenges of major cities far outweigh those of rural areas yet they are easily ignored. This affects the learning environments and outcomes from the process.
The population of students in a class is a major issue of concern. Most schools in cities are overcrowded. This means that a teacher does not provide similar contact hours to his or her pupils as a teacher in rural centers. Beyond the class, students are forced to share facilities at an unacceptable ratio. This means that their learning experience is limited. Unfortunately, there is no space to build more schools and house the ever growing population.
Funding remains one of the most contentious issues for educationists. Despite knowledge of the challenges facing city schools, policy makers refuse to allocate the resources required. It is traditional thinking that has seen a continued funding gap. This is why the challenges persist. Governments at local and federal levels need to allocate more resources to solve these challenges.
The student population in urban schools is the most diverse you can think about. They come from different lingual and cultural backgrounds. Some of them are even from foreign nations. Yet a teacher is expected to handle them as if they are a single nation. The reality is that you will need more time, resources and effort to bring all these differences into the same mindset.
There is no denying that students in metropolitan areas start learning at a higher pedestal than their counterparts in rural areas. Standardization of curriculum almost makes it a bother to start them off at the basic level. In some cases, a teacher will find it almost insulting to begin teaching at rudimentary level yet the students have already self-learnt beyond that point. It is an issue of curriculum standardization without considering foundation of these students.
Diverse language background is a subject for concern to teachers and educationists alike. The issue is as serious as cultural diversity. As a teacher, you have to think of teaching techniques and vocabulary that will accommodate this diversity. Even with creativity, a teacher will require more time and resources to produce the same outcomes. Policy makers and administrators do not make provision for that.
The challenge of ownership is a historical one. It begins with federal governments failing to take full ownership. Local governments also refuse to give then the attention and resources they require. This leaves them torn in between authorities. The more such issues continue to bedevil the sector, the wider the rift grows. Unfortunately, it is children and the future of the nation that suffer.
The challenges of metropolitan areas differ by far with those of rural areas yet the regions receive similar attention. Teachers and educator in rural areas are in no better position than those in metropolitan areas. Their challenges are unique only that they are not similar. However, the challenges of major cities far outweigh those of rural areas yet they are easily ignored. This affects the learning environments and outcomes from the process.
The population of students in a class is a major issue of concern. Most schools in cities are overcrowded. This means that a teacher does not provide similar contact hours to his or her pupils as a teacher in rural centers. Beyond the class, students are forced to share facilities at an unacceptable ratio. This means that their learning experience is limited. Unfortunately, there is no space to build more schools and house the ever growing population.
Funding remains one of the most contentious issues for educationists. Despite knowledge of the challenges facing city schools, policy makers refuse to allocate the resources required. It is traditional thinking that has seen a continued funding gap. This is why the challenges persist. Governments at local and federal levels need to allocate more resources to solve these challenges.
The student population in urban schools is the most diverse you can think about. They come from different lingual and cultural backgrounds. Some of them are even from foreign nations. Yet a teacher is expected to handle them as if they are a single nation. The reality is that you will need more time, resources and effort to bring all these differences into the same mindset.
There is no denying that students in metropolitan areas start learning at a higher pedestal than their counterparts in rural areas. Standardization of curriculum almost makes it a bother to start them off at the basic level. In some cases, a teacher will find it almost insulting to begin teaching at rudimentary level yet the students have already self-learnt beyond that point. It is an issue of curriculum standardization without considering foundation of these students.
Diverse language background is a subject for concern to teachers and educationists alike. The issue is as serious as cultural diversity. As a teacher, you have to think of teaching techniques and vocabulary that will accommodate this diversity. Even with creativity, a teacher will require more time and resources to produce the same outcomes. Policy makers and administrators do not make provision for that.
The challenge of ownership is a historical one. It begins with federal governments failing to take full ownership. Local governments also refuse to give then the attention and resources they require. This leaves them torn in between authorities. The more such issues continue to bedevil the sector, the wider the rift grows. Unfortunately, it is children and the future of the nation that suffer.
About the Author:
To resolve the urban education issues that communities are currently facing, come and join us at the next meeting. Find out more by visiting our blog at http://www.godhasspokenministries.com.
No comments :
Post a Comment