No Child Left Behind Act

This act was first proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office in 2001 and it is about time to reform this act! Obama was spot on when he announced the plan to reform the act earlier this year. It is no secret that America is falling behind in lots of aspects, especially in Education. According to the blueprint for reform, 10 countries have passed America in college completion and I personally think that this is an embarrassing fact for a country who once claimed to be the greatest.

I come from Indonesia, a third world country, whose ongoing issues include poverty, education and unemployment. Having spent years in third, second and first world countries, I know what it is like to have the majority of the population uneducated. People are narrow minded, easily provoked and they believe in everything. There is no discernment because they simply do not know how and what to discern. 

It aggravates me when I hear Rick Santorum comment on the act. Quoting from Washington Wire, dated January 7, 2012, Santorum said “They’re not ready to go to [college.] They don’t want to go to college. They don’t need to go to college. I was so outraged that the President of the United States [said] every student should go to college.”

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against homeschooling. I believe every kid has to be pushed to reach their potential and go to college, or at least to vocational schools. Yes, I said... PUSHED! Some people are naturally lazy. With no incentive and stimulation, some people will be happy being just a mediocre - which is not good enough to be the greatest. Imagine a country built on mediocre people and compare it to a country built on knowledge thirsty, skillful and thriving people. Who do you think will be better? Of course, the education system in America has to improve too. America has lots of potential, lots of great colleges at its disposal. It is just a shame to not utilize them.

I came across an essay on the time management, written by Manish Rajkoomar that reads: People, who made effective usage of time at their disposal, got the best from time. But those who forgot the value of time found to their utter dismay that it was harsh on them later. And on the next paragraph he wrote: Time can be spent wisely or foolishly. The choice is ours and so are its consequences.

Read that quote again and change the word "time" to "knowledge!"

Sources:

1. http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/blueprint/publication_pg2.html#part2
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_World https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/id.html
3. http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/01/07/santorum-all-students-shouldnt-be-pushed-to-go-to-college/ 
4. http://www.publishyourarticles.org/knowledge-hub/essay/an-essay-on-the-time-management.html