Inhumanities in Education
- David Smith
- Jan 25, 2020
- 2 min read
The wonderful Michael Morpurgo, appearing at the recent Nielsen Bestseller Awards Ceremony, said of bestseller status:
"I'm not sure a million copies sold is worth celebrating when we have millions of children who don't read and millions of children who leave primary school functionally illiterate... What do we get from reading? It's great books which enrich our lives, books from which we glean knowledge, understanding and empathy. I don't see a country with self-respect or that can call itself a democracy if it does not help every single child–when there are schools without libraries, bookshops closing, libraries closing, it's not good enough. People at the top have to be told it's not good enough."
He'll get no argument from us. At a time when new technologies are consuming more and more of our children’s time and attention the fight to promote books is more essential than ever before.
But exposing children to books is only part of the struggle, because, sadly, even the school curriculum militates against that fight. Our schools are obsessed with ‘teaching to the test’. I have spoken to students and teachers about this regrettable diminution and I have heard many stories of how the joy, power and wonder is being ground out of novels, poems and plays by a narrow focus on ticking the boxes. Surely the way to study literature is first of all simply to read it.
Instead teachers are compelled to spend their lessons dissecting texts with their class, annotating, flagging, rooting out the truffles of Significance, chasing down the flashes of Truth. That’s all very well, but unless a student has read and responded to the work as a whole– whether it be ‘Ozymandias’, ‘The Lord of the Flies’ or ‘The Merchant of Venice’ – this kind of detailed sifting and panning and hoeing will yield little meaning and will simply kill the experience. The written work becomes a chore, an enemy, something to slog through and be done with.
The Humanities as a whole are treated in the state school system of 2020 as an irritant – a throwback to the days of permissive leftie teachers and trendy educationalists. English is just one of the casualties. But if books continue to be pushed into the shadows by the instant gratifications of new technology, schools will only darken those shadows if they are not shaken out of this mechanical, soulless, joyless method of study.
One thing that really stands out is the need to keep education humane, where learners are not just measured by performance but supported as individuals with different circumstances, strengths, and challenges. When education becomes overly rigid or disconnected from real student needs, it risks creating exactly the kind of “inhuman” experience your post highlights.
At the same time, modern learning environments also depend on adaptability and support tools that help students manage pressure and workload. For example, services like Python Assignment Help Online can sometimes offer practical academic support when learners are struggling to keep up, allowing them to better understand complex tasks rather than feeling left behind.
I never judge a platform only by the homepage, because that part is usually made to look polished anyway. I first open the sections that I would actually use later: profile, cashier, settings, help page, rules, and transaction history. With goat spins I would check how quickly these areas can be reached and whether the layout feels logical without needing to click around too much. For someone using it in the UK, I would also look at how clearly payment details are shown, whether account tools are easy to control, and if support is visible without digging through several menus.
Outdoor deck installation in Pensacola FL requires attention to materials and design for long-lasting results. Workmanship is essential. Residents rely on outdoor deck installation for durable and visually appealing outdoor living areas.
Comprehensive roadside help is crucial in areas where repair shops are not nearby. The overview here explains how services like Roadside Assistance can cover multiple issues such as minor repairs, towing, or fuel delivery. This is especially helpful for travelers unfamiliar with the region. It reduces downtime and helps drivers continue their journey safely without unnecessary delays or confusion during emergencies, overall very practical and reassuring.
I was unsure how surface damage on exterior walls should be handled until I read this overview. It clearly describes repair techniques and maintenance expectations. The section linked through Wall Finish Repair gave practical examples of restoring worn finishes while preserving structural integrity. This is especially helpful for property owners dealing with aging plaster or weather exposure issues. It supports informed decisions about maintenance and repair timing very useful insight.