John Harpoon

Education is supposed to be the foundation of knowledge, personal growth, and future success. However, the modern school system has become a rigid, outdated structure that often fails to serve its true purpose. Instead of fostering curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking, it enforces memorization, conformity, and a narrow definition of intelligence. The system was designed for an industrial era that no longer exists, yet it continues to shape young minds in ways that leave them unprepared for the real world. 

The purpose of education has shifted drastically over time. Originally, learning was a means of survival and personal development, allowing individuals to acquire skills and knowledge relevant to their environment. With the rise of industrialization, schools were structured to produce disciplined, obedient workers rather than innovative thinkers. Today, that outdated model remains largely intact. Instead of adapting to the needs of a rapidly changing world, schools continue to prioritize standardization over flexibility, forcing students into a one-size-fits-all system that often stifles their potential. 

At the core of this broken system is an overemphasis on memorization rather than true understanding. Students are expected to absorb and regurgitate information for tests, only to forget most of it shortly after. Critical thinking and problem-solving take a backseat to rote learning, leaving students ill-equipped to navigate complex real-world challenges. The grading system further reinforces this problem, reducing learning to a numbers game where students are judged by their ability to recall facts rather than their capacity for deep thinking.