Watch the Project Positivity Education launch video here or read the transcript below.
Introduction
I love learning but I don’t love schooling, yet I wish I could. I’m Ellis, I’m 14 and I’m going through the English education system. Ask pretty much anyone ‘what’s the purpose of school?’, and they’ll probably say something like ‘to prepare a student for life by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge’. In brief, that’s one of the fundamental purposes of school; of course it’s so much more than that. Yet, why does it feel like we’re often just in training for exams rather than learning for life? Its the way the system works. Why are certain subjects like the creative arts treated as if they’re not as important as other subjects? Its the way the system works. Why is getting a good GCSE so dependent on a final exam? Its the way the system works. Why is education so underfunded when its an investment in our future; humanity’s future? I could go on for a while but I better leave it there. Put simply, education is essential for any human being to thrive. But what creates a thriving human being? Lets make some pancakes.
Pancakes
150g of plain flour. 1tsp of baking powder. 2 pinches of salt. 30g of caster sugar. 1 egg. 150ml of milk. Give it a good whisk to create the batter and then cook the pancakes in a pan. Delicious. Now imagine the 150g of plain flour represents having access to clean water, food, clothing, money, fulfilling work and a home. The 1 tsp of baking powder represents a loving family or carer. The 2 pinches of salt represents a positive social experience in person and online. The 30g of caster sugar represents a supportive and stimulating education system. The egg represents access to other essential services including healthcare, financial services, legal support and public transport. The 150ml of milk represents a peaceful, thriving, sustainable environment. There can be slight variation in the amount of each ingredient used to create a thriving human life, but if the required ingredients are lost or too little it becomes hard to thrive. For example, if I only put 25ml of milk into the batter instead of 150ml, the desired pancake will not be created.
Launch
I believe these ingredients are the fundamental conditions that enable a human to thrive, a good education being one of them. Yes our English education system is functioning, but it functions in a way which can limit creativity, be too test focused, cause avoidable mental health issues and kill the joy of learning. Over the past year, I’ve learnt the desire for change is high by speaking with students, teachers, parents and education professionals as well as looking through research reports and articles. My response to these challenges; introducing Project Positivity Education which aims to inspire and empower everyone to bring about positive change to our education system. You are invited to become part of this chorus for change by sharing your views through contributing ‘personal opinion pieces’. Sometimes its hard for our individual voices to be heard but acting together amplifies our voices. Take part, find out more and keep up with views and news by visiting projectpositivity.net, follow Project Positivity across social media so you don’t miss a beat and join the mailing list to stay in the know. I’m on a mission to bring positive change to our education system; if you’re with me, please spread the word. Thanks for watching.
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Written by Ellis Brown, age 14
‘Pancakes’ analogy created by Ellis Brown
© Project Positivity (2023-2024)
Quick links
Join the chorus for change here
Keep up with views and news here
Find out more about 'Pancakes' here
Sign up to the mailing list here