Graduations

It seems that every year some of our grandchildren are graduating. This year we have a grandson who moves up to secondary school and a grand daughter moving up to university. The decisions they make will impact their future life and economic status.

Both of these students are looking forward to their new adventure. Starting secondary school is a big step and that first year is so important. The course selections will lead to a path which narrows the further you go .I say this in spite of the opposite being true since today there is so much specialization and emphasis on the academic free choices are few.

In the past students were treated to more cultural activities such as music and drama. Physical education was mandated up to the eleventh grade and extra curricular activities were encouraged. In Ontario the five year secondary program has been compressed into four years and students have to fill their timetables with compulsory programs and courses leaving little room for the things that made secondary so much fun.

Universities are called upon to offer more and more specialized programs and the general BA, so common in the past is almost worthless if more years are not added.Our grand daughter has applied to five or six Canadian universities and hopes to be accepted in her chosen field. Because it is difficult to get into some programs without a high academic rating, students are choosing courses to meet this requirement and often through necessity avoid the cultural programs.

Developing the whole person is every educators wish but we are often called upon to make those choices which makes it almost impossible.We look at our young children and see a difficult road into the future. My worries will be just that because the students are growing in a modern environment and will meet the challenge just as we did half a century ago.

I look forward to many more steps up the ladder for our grandchildren and will live vicariously through their efforts and achievements.