Educating children. Is the school of life enough?

Education without sufficient competence can be imagined as a haunted castle. When you enter it, you don’t know in what condition you or your children will be wheeled out on the other side. The current school system produces universal soldiers – everyone knows roughly the same, to roughly the same depth. There is no customization tailored to the individual pupil or student. So from this metaphorical haunted castle, some come out with a black eye, while others who got into the wheelchair five minutes later leave with a smile in a pressed suit. Usually, the latter don’t understand why it should be addressed when they actually managed quite well.

Changing the haunted castle by just painting it in pastel colors isn’t enough. Good intentions alone won’t do. The main attractions need to be changed. And good intentions are not enough for that. Listen to what really matters. Find out what a path leading to real change could look like.

In the show, you will see concrete examples of good practice and also what to do if you (or your children) are unlucky with teachers. And of course, much more.

Why watch the episode?

• You will clarify the most important factors influencing the quality and effectiveness of education.
• You will see concrete examples of good practice and learn what to do if you happen to be unlucky with teachers.
• You will find out why you shouldn’t dogmatically accept any educational approach.

What will you take away from the episode?

• A clear understanding of what education is really about and what to watch out for.
• The risks of the “I went through it too, and look how great I turned out” approach.
• Everything a good teacher and an active parent can additionally give a child. And where and how to start.

Who is Slávek Hora?

Slávek Hora graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň, specializing in teaching general education subjects, Czech language and literature – history. While still a student, he taught at Gymnázium Rokycany and ZŠ Tábor. His teaching career, using ICT in education, began at the latter school. He then had the honor of co-leading as deputy headmaster for 13 years at Základní škola Planá nad Lužnicí. He is keen to show that even in public schools, it is possible to teach with respect for pupils and still be very effective.

Among other achievements, Slávek Hora was a finalist of the Global Teacher Prize 2017. You can read about his other successes as a teacher and headmaster here.