Sally Hardy 3480

If I could change one thing in the primary education schools system, it would be a buy-in.  Anytime something is free, people don't appreciate it.  I worked for a optometrist who used to give free seminars; nobody would come.  It wasn't until he started charging a nominal fee that people came.  Another is example was when I was in charge of a girls camp.  The church wanted every girl to have the chance to go, so the they paid for all the food, crafts, and fees.  Thirteen girls committed to go, but only eight actually went.  To me, camp was priceless.  It was an opportunity for girls to spend some time in nature and be with other adult women who could teach them values and integrity.  The next year we asked the girls contribute $10 in advance.  We had a better turn out and every girl who committed to go (paid the $10) went. It was a small buy-in, but the girls felt  a part of the experience and contributed in other ways as well. 

For elementary age kids, the parents could volunteer at the school or pay money.  The kids could also be asked to contribute by cleaning the school ground, helping with lunch, or helping younger students. The same could be implemented in the high schools.  Students could tutor other students as their part of the contribution.  Students who were disruptive or who just didn't want to be there could choose to leave school and work.  My sister was failing school. She quit because she simply didn't care at the time.  Later she went back and got her degree.  She is now a nurse.  We want everyone to have the opportunity to have a good education, but how bad do we want it?  How bad do our kids want it?

When people have a vested interest, they are more concerned about the quality of the product. There was a time when not everyone was able to go to school.  Some kids had to work on the farm in order for their family to survive.  Parents back then had to make sacrifices in order for their kids to go to school.  If everyone had to contribute in some way to the educational system, I bet there would be more people concerned about finding solutions to the problems we are currently facing.  When people are given things for free, the care and concern is just not there.  School is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow.  Not everyone in this world has that opportunity.