Public Schools: Education Problems and Solutions

Public schools are government schools for kindergarten, elementary and secondary education in the United States, sponsored by public taxes that provide free local education. They focus on the general education basics and is controlled by school authority. Public schools are local and affordable institutes and accessible to all children. A detailed study on the Public schools, education problems and suggestions to be implemented in education sector are depicted below.

Education Problems and Solutions

No Standard Policies
Public schools may fall short in completing the target given by the government to educate every child. They lack in accountability, proficiency, infrastructure and assessment. Sometimes, the required number of teachers may be less than the number of students, making it difficult for the teachers to pay personal attention to each student. Public schools cover all types of subjects randomly. They teach English, maths, history, science, reading, writing, and physical education. Therefore, most of the students prefer private education for specializing in a particular subject.

One-way Teaching Process
Public schools may not be able to meet the basic necessities of every student on the same level. However, teachers can make teaching and learning interesting through innovative methods like story telling, games, painting and dancing. The school atmosphere needs to be child-friendly and child-centric,and at the same time, it should also motivate the teachers.

Poor Academic Performance
If schools are practicing an old and outdated agenda during examinations, the students will acquire limited knowledge. This will lead to poor academic performance. Children have a tendency to capture new concepts easily, they imitate things the exact way they see and perceive. In today’s world of talent, competition and merits are considered important. Therefore, public schools should enforce latest learning and teaching guidelines every year. If required, they should provide extra classes or tuition facilities to some students.

Peer Pressure and Violence
There are many students who might threaten their classmates and juniors. They might use abusive language, dominate or harass them physically or mentally. Teachers should monitor issues like peer pressure and violence in the school. Ignorance on the part of parents and teachers, early in their childhood may develop criminal tendencies amongst students. It is important to maintain a happy atmosphere in the school conducive to every student, whether new or old.

Lack of Extracurricular Activities
Many students switch to special private classes after school, because public schools include limited activities that may not be up to the mark. Extra curriculum activities include games, painting, music, dancing, speech, gathering and workshops. They are recreational activities that help build self-esteem, confidence and satisfaction.

Learning Disabilities
Children affected by certain learning disabilities are unable to articulate the concepts clearly as taught by teachers in the first stage of learning. They require more practice, revision to learn a particular subject. Some students may learn the concept easily than the others. Students affected by dyslexia, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), physical disabilities will take a longer time to memorize a lesson.

Authority and their rigid system
Higher authorities, principals and teachers always push aside accountability while designing the parameters of a school system. At times, they may respond in unreceptive manners, when questioned by parents. Following certain set methodologies, parameters followed by assessments and reporting can help improvise the overall system.

Social Problems
Social aspect plays a vital role in education. Students may be affected adversely by violence, race, caste, gender discrimination. In such circumstances, they don't feel free to go schools. Sexual harassment, another crucial issue can be solved by strict law and policies.

Ignorance about childrens' bad habits and addictions
Children imitate the things practiced by their elders. Some might adopt bad habits such as smoking, fighting, stealing. Many parents complain that the drugs prescribed by teachers to improve memory is harmful to their children. For example, frequent intake of a mind-altering drug, Ritalin may damage the brain tissue. Students may lose their confidence in studies and the entire learning process.

Some more Problems in Public schools
Public schools have no flexibility in their syllabus. Some students complain that they were not taught word spelling or vocabulary in the sixth or seventh grade. Teachers find it difficult and incomplete to manage class hours accordingly. Public schools treat all students in the same way; however, some students might need economic support like scholarship, reward, library facility and vocational education program to excel academically. The children of migrant farm workers and fisherman may discontinue education due to financial reasons. These students may face issues like isolation, poor health, and at times no moral or financial support from their parents!

Nowadays, private schools are replacing public schools. Private schools are sponsored by particular religious groups that impart worldwide as well as religious education. Parents prefer such private education where they can achieve a complete satisfaction in terms of education. These schools use the latest techniques while teaching such as projectors, online tests and improved teaching strategies.

Solutions for improvement in Public schools

U.S. Department of Education had established the ‘National Assessment of Educational Progress’ (NAEP) in 1969. It works on designing methods, curriculum, parameters, and achievement of schools. They conduct an assessment of the public school that work on their framework.

Public schools can prevent violence by providing security to some extent. Their monotonous way of teaching can be improved through online education. Teaching through audio and visual aids makes it more proactive. Homework can be designed in a way that students enjoy studying at home. Sundays or holidays can be utilized for play activities, visiting to a zoo, museum or cultural places. In this way, schools can pay individual attention to each student as per his talent. Home schooling is a new option that provides extra teaching hours for some students.