One of the most significant aspects that have to do with quality education is to prepare students for real life, and this not only has to do with the economic education, that although it’s an important aspect, it’s not the most important one. It is also indispensable to guide them towards the interest of common good.
People should take advantage of homeschooling and go beyond the ability of just gathering knowledge. They should explore the capacity of understanding the historic consequences of the use of this knowledge to contribute in the making of decisions regarding to the future of societies and the planet. This makes it necessary to emphasize the need of an education that empowers the student to act responsibly on issues of common interest.
To achieve this, we must start by connecting knowledge to actual problems and their solutions.
For example, students do not have the ability to build nuclear plants just because they know how they are built, it is more important to know if they should be constructed and if it’s appropriate.
Some basic topics like the universe, the stars, and the adaptation of species are not enough. Themes more tailored towards relevant issues should be dominant: biodiversity, ozone layer and the greenhouse effect, climate change, and technological resources against pollution. Practical topics like the catalytic converter and the wind power generator. The potability of water, the chemical contamination, and the pollutant effects of the media.
Analyzing terms like the mortality caused by infectious diseases, and more controversial terms like cloning, new economic models, ethic banking, liberty of expression and free culture.
But, clearly, we should also approach themes regarding the person and his/her surroundings. Themes like the making of bread, planting an orchard at home, learning to deal with pests, and oral health may not have any global impact at all, but they do have practical relevance.
We should really take advantage of personalized education so we can go back to an education that makes sense. An education closer to reality; not controlled by systems made by people who don’t see the importance of themes regarding common good. A system not moderated by the economic interests of a few.