[MD] A fine mess

[Andre Broersen]

Ian:

It is ironic that it is called a "qualification" no ? When it is
really a "quantification". When objectives (values) become objects,
they are so much easier for accountants to count, and harder for the
rest of us to value. Education without quality.

Andre:

Hi Ian, yes, I agree with everything you say.Where education should be the
domain of exploration, a sort of experimental laboratory and also a type
Phaedrus describes in ZMM, it is one giant factory where students learn what
they need to know which is determined by the marketplace. Ready made
subjects as part of a ready made curriculum spouting ready made knowledge to
get ready made jobs.
And I believe it will only get worse as schools, colleges and universities,
certainly over the last 20 years have sought closer working relationships
with big and small business (both in terms of financial sponsoring and
provision of required knowledge [by business]).
Students are pre-packaged to suit a pre-determined job to keep on feeding
the Giant.
Yes, this whole notion of 'paper qualification', these ever increasing
meritocracies where 'ability' is defined and reflected in the number of
pieces of paper a person has.(and not real ability in many cases).
The 'familiarity' Phaedrus talked about, this 'experience once attained' can
lead to creative/playful use of that which you know and of that which one is
expected to do, but is seen as low value.
In Holland, when one has reached the age of 45 and up, and having lost one's
job (after having been in one for 20 odd years) one has buckly's chance on
getting another one. One is simply considered too old. (that's one of the
reasons why I sit here in China as a voluntary development worker!).
Anyway, I can go on and on about this. Yes, Ian it is worrying and
depressing.

But Cheers! Andre