What Use a Degree?

The fundamental question which no-one has answered in any country on this issue is what difference does a degree make to a teacher? Practical circumstances show that in many cases it can actually have a detrimental effect.

Look at the skills needed by teachers. Human relationships are an extremely important part of teaching. Teachers are involved everyday with a large number of children who come from a wide cross-section of the community. Different class and cultural backgrounds effect the nature of children and create many different personalities all requiring to be pulled through the school system.

Teachers need to master classroom organisation, curriculum development, and how to cover basic subjects such as mathematics and science. Along with this the teacher must have ideas on how to create a learning environment which enables children to learn and develop as individuals in society.

The theoretical side of education must be covered as well. The development of the child, the effect of the environment and different educational theories must also be introduced to teacher trainees.