KENNY
the reports you posted were mainly about science and were overseas stuff from what I saw.. its in the english/literature stream where the problems lie.

Boaz,
RE English/Literature

In Grade 8 my daughter was given a book to read about a “father who had abandoned his 2yr old son”, and then she had to write an essay on the book.

As well, the students had to make a doll out of rags, and carry this doll around with them wherever they went at school for 3 weeks, and then write essays on this also.

Now I couldn’t see the humor in this and thought it sick, so I complained to the school. On complaining I learnt that several other parents had complained also, and nearly all the students complained about the book, and many students were too emotionally upset by the book to write essays on it. As well, all students felt total idiots carrying around a rag doll all day.

Now in leftist thinking, the whole exercise was the best way of teaching the students English. However it is no wonder that the kids prefer reading Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.

What will they make the students do in Grade 12?

Take back your children, before it is too late.

Tim
were there boys in the class too ?

One more thing.... I recall how the American pilots shot down over Nth Vietnam, were required to continually write ESSAYS' on their 'crimes'

Boaz,
Every student, boy and girl in grade 8. I think there were 6 classes of grade 8'S.

As the parent, I had to be involved too. The daughter had to bring the rag doll home and care for it at home. I had to fill out a daily form, showing how well the daughter was caring for dolly, and how dolly was feeling (EG dolly happy today, dolly slept most of the day, dolly bored today etc.

Numbat, no one starves in this country.Why do you pose such extreme senarios knowing full well that the Howard Govt.has spent more on social security than ever would have been achieved by any Labor Govt.?All we are ask is that the unemployed,weak or disabled contribute something back to society.It gives them self esteem and adds to the total productivity, be it social or monetary.
There is too much job snobbery in this country.Just because you have a degree ,doesn't entitle you to a secure micky mouse Govt job that adds nothing to productivity.It would be better that you pulled beers in a pub.Big Govt.punishes ordinary workers with tax,because they are easy prey.All jobs are important.Unlike the US we don't classify people by the type of work to the same extent.In the the US the job is who you are,while in Aust.we tend to judge people by their deeds or personality.I hope it remains that way,since all people who try hard and do the right thing, hold up this fragile umbrella we call civilisation.