Friday 3 April 2009

It's all part of 'tradition' you see

A few years ago a friend of my mother's enrolled her son at one of Auckland's prestigious high schools. She wasn't all happy when she found out her son was regularly being beaten up during his extra-circular activities. Being someone with plenty of educational qualifications after her name she had absolutely no qualms with marching up to the school and raising her problems with senior managers at the school. The managers didn't have a problem with what was happening saying it was all part of 'school tradition.' She was horrified and removed her son from the school.


So perhaps when I hear phrases from the heads of schools that they are 'losing their history and character' because they can't select the children of former pupils my immediate reaction is that they are actually mean 'there be too many asians at our school.'.

But why is it that parents are still so determined to send their kids to these schools when educational research tells us that the quality of individual teachers is far more important than they type of school they attend.

Part of it is to do with creating an impression that the local public high school will not provide the 'right' environment for achievement is often something these schools in particular are very happy to cultivate in order to weed out 'undesirable' pupils. Private schools are of course free to do so, but state schools do have a responsibility to take in all-comers. What has always bothered me about creating 'winner' schools is what happens to the 'loser' schools and the students who for whatever reason (distance, limited academic achievement, money for transport, parents don't know about the 'good' schools) can't get in. Moreover how many other parents have had to put up with shoddy treatment of their kids in the name of 'tradition' and have been too scared to make a fuss by these mighty educational establishments.

A few years prominent academic suggested that perhaps Auckland should follow the example of several American universities that give automatic entry to the top 10% of graduating high school class as a way to reverse Auckland's bussing patterns. Perhaps she was on to something.

3 comments:

Lucy said...

I just thought that this suggestion - especially given the schools involved - was code for "outsiders are getting into our patch, OH NOES THEY MUST BE STOPPED." The quote about old boys giving more donations if their kids went there was particularly telling. It's a school, for Go'd sake, not a hereditary aristocracy (or a hereditary *anything*.)

Deborah said...

And a state school at that.

I can't help thinking that the reason one of the principals quoted in the story wants to be able to admit more Pacific Island and Maori boys is to reinforce the school rugby teams.

Ben R said...

"But why is it that parents are still so determined to send their kids to these schools when educational research tells us that the quality of individual teachers is far more important than they type of school they attend."

Because, as the research by Judith Rich Harris 'the Nurture Assumption', suggests, it is peer group that is particularly important (compared to parental influence).

Sending the kids to a private school ensures they will be mixing with kids who won't be getting into trouble to the extent they might at a local school.

Of course, the usual things that happen whenever you have a large group of males happen, hierarchies form & bullying occurs. But, it's seen as better than the alternatives.

Personally, I think if a kid is quite smart they will do well wherever they go. However, if they're not particularly academic they're less likely to go off the rails at a private school.

"So perhaps when I hear phrases from the heads of schools that they are 'losing their history and character' because they can't select the children of former pupils my immediate reaction is that they are actually mean 'there be too many asians at our school.'

Deborah,

I think you're partly right that this is actually because they want to bolster the rugby team with polynesian imports who are likely to live outside the zone (in the case of Akl Grammar). When I was at High School success in rugby was massively important & numerous sporting scholarships were available for this purpose.