Conference

2008 Safe Internet Use

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Highlights of previous SSBA conferences :-

2007 Developing a Parent Council and Encouraging Parental Involvement

2006 The Way Forward for Parental Involvement

2005 Parents in Partnership

2003 Partnerships and responsibilities

2002 SSBA is fit for the future

2001 Roadshow

2000 International
and published book
available here online

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Workshops

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Abstract

The opportunity to take a lengthy look at the Romanian Education system and subsequent revisiting and reflection on that experience provide the basis of this paper. There is a brief descriptive tour of the nature of that system and an examination of the influences it has on society from discussion and observation of the people. Discussion with Romanians both living in Romania, and in other countries has supplemented the direct observation. and provided particular insights.

The highly competitive nature of the Romanian Education system with its use of examinations focussing primarily on the student's capability in Mathematics and Grammar will be considered in the paper. The seeming ability of High school pupils in Mathematics and Science to grapple with quite complex equations and mathematical concepts. will be contrasted with stated lack of flexibility and creativity.

The possible effects on pupils of directive and controlling teaching and the role of pupils as passive learners, is examined- along with the likely influence on the level of knowledge and skills presented by the Romanian High School leaver, and the social outworkings of that methodology.

Discipline and order within the system, and the effects of perceived intensive classroom and home workload on the general well-being of the pupils are also touched on in this paper.

Features of Romanian society and the role of the education system in supporting or reversing these will be discussed. The emerging democratised society in Romania and its demands on individuals in terms of independence and decision making and the preparation which a directive education may give to young people for life in such a society are considered.

The possible lessons which might be learned from this examination of another culture and country and which may be directly applied to our own Scottish scene will be explored.

Back to 2000 Workshop Index