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Karen Worth : On Education (3)

In this third and last part of the interview Karen Worth expresses her belief that science-learning need not affect children's imaginative and creative thinking about the natural world. In this context she is very explicit about what "integrated learning" could mean and how that differs from what it tends to mean in practice. Although "not an expert in adolescent education", as she says, she thinks that a phase usually known as difficult, would be much less so if we could reconsider grouping students in school according to age and if we would realize that a breathtaking intellectual development occurs in adolescence as well as the "hormonal" physical changes. If this were the case, more schools would challenge students with projects starting from their interests in which they could engage intellectually as well as socially ; Currently our educational systems tend to impose alienating goals. In her critical attitude towards the present status of affairs (and the wishful "no child left behind" proclamation, one may perhaps add) she agrees with Martin Habermans rather harsh statement : current schools must accept their share of the responsibility for causing the existing "achievement gap". Not only "star-teachers", but also teachers and educators in general could do much better if the system, professional preparation and development included, would allow them. Education must be considered a profession like any other, and be respected as others are. 15'

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