NationStates Jolt Archive

The following is a draft of a proposal which I have authored and submitted twice. This draft is identical to that submitted the second time; it includes a number of changes in wording and form over the original to make it more acceptable. However, this proposal did not receive the necessary approvals last time it was submitted, and I would like to know what further revisions I can make to it in order to get it at least put up for a general vote. I understand that there are some problems with it, but I have trouble putting my finger on them specifically and changing them. So, here is Standard for Education as it currently stands:

The General Assembly of the United Nations

RECOGNIZING the right given to all individuals in member nations of a free education,

RECOGNIZING that education is a fundamental part of building a healthy global society,

RECOGNIZING that some individuals in member nations may be unable to pay for an education and thus would be denied one,

EMPHASIZING the importance of guaranteeing all individuals the right to a quality education,

LAMENTING that some nations may not be willing to establish a sufficient quality of free education to its citizens,

ACKNOWLEDGING the intentions of U.N. Resolution #28, and

REALIZING its shortcomings and lack of specifics,

RESOLVES TO ESTABLISH a standard for the quality of education to be given to all individuals under the age of 18 living in all member nations. The guidelines for such a standard are as follows:

• All citizens shall be given the right to free schooling (hereafter referred to as public schooling) which may begin at age 5 or any time thereafter, until the citizen turns 18, which shall be conducted in a public place and funded by the local government
• Citizens shall be given 12 years of public schooling, or will be freely schooled until the end of the academic year in which the citizen turns 18
• At the end of these 12 years of public schooling, or by the end of the academic year in which a citizen turns 18, that citizen shall be able to read, write and do arithmetic to a level which is practical, useful, and necessary for the lifestyles of the nation
• Citizens shall also receive education in the implementation of technologies as used in the business-places of the nation
• No religious beliefs, discriminations, or intolerance shall be taught as curriculum or impressed upon the citizens enrolled in a public school
• There shall be no restrictions on enrollment in a public school, save those of age
• Teachers in a public school shall be holding a degree from a legitimate college or university for the level and content which they are teaching
• Students requiring special academic help shall be given that help to the fullest extent of the facilities in which they are enrolled
• Public education shall be objective, and shall give citizens accurate information on subject matter without editing to fit any viewpoint

--Any comments or suggestions for improvement would be greatly apprecited.

~CMC~

• All citizens shall be given the right to free schooling (hereafter referred to as public schooling) which may begin at age 5 or any time thereafter, until the citizen turns 18, which shall be conducted in a public place and funded by the local government
Why? If nations have entirely private education systems which work fine, they should still be forced to institute public schools?

• Citizens shall be given 12 years of public schooling, or will be freely schooled until the end of the academic year in which the citizen turns 18
See above.

• At the end of these 12 years of public schooling, or by the end of the academic year in which a citizen turns 18, that citizen shall be able to read, write and do arithmetic to a level which is practical, useful, and necessary for the lifestyles of the nation
Given you haven't exempted those with learning disabilities, this clause is impossible, and will automatically bring every single member nation into non-compliance.

• Citizens shall also receive education in the implementation of technologies as used in the business-places of the nation
And the vagueness of this clause indicates why it's not suitable for international legislation.

• No religious beliefs, discriminations, or intolerance shall be taught as curriculum or impressed upon the citizens enrolled in a public school
I'd argue this was illegal as a ban on theocracies. In any case, what's wrong with studying Theology or Religious Education?

• There shall be no restrictions on enrollment in a public school, save those of age
Meaning murderers are allowed to join public school...great.

• Teachers in a public school shall be holding a degree from a legitimate college or university for the level and content which they are teaching
When I went to school, my teacher taught me:
Religion
Maths
Rukialkotta [our national language]
English
History
Geography
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Art
Sport
Technology

That's a lot of degrees for a primary level teacher.

• Students requiring special academic help shall be given that help to the fullest extent of the facilities in which they are enrolled
Which does nothing to negate the earlier inclusion of them in required standards.

• Public education shall be objective, and shall give citizens accurate information on subject matter without editing to fit any viewpoint
Whilst this is nice in theory, I don't see how it's remotely possible to assess what is universally objective.

Well, sorry, but I can't see this going anywhere. The best educational policy is to give as much say as possible to the lowest possible level; maybe you could write a proposal about that?

An interesting RL text you might want to consider. In practice, some of this might be inadequate, or covered by other NS resolutions, but it's a good start.

Article 13


1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to education. They agree that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. They further agree that education shall enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

2. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that, with a view to achieving the full realization of this right:

(a) Primary education shall be compulsory and available free to all;

(b) Secondary education in its different forms, including technical and vocational secondary education, shall be made generally available and accessible to all by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education;

(c) Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education;

(d) Fundamental education shall be encouraged or intensified as far as possible for those persons who have not received or completed the whole period of their primary education;

(e) The development of a system of schools at all levels shall be actively pursued, an adequate fellowship system shall be established, and the material conditions of teaching staff shall be continuously improved.

3. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to choose for their children schools, other than those established by the public authorities, which conform to such minimum educational standards as may be laid down or approved by the State and to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.

4. No part of this article shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance of the principles set forth in paragraph I of this article and to the requirement that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State.

I applaud your efforts, especially since the previous resolution on free education was so vague and limited. However, a couple things jump out at me here:

RECOGNIZING the right given to all individuals in member nations of a free education,

RECOGNIZING that some individuals in member nations may be unable to pay for an education and thus would be denied one,

If the right of free education is already given to all individuals in member nations, why do they have to pay for it? These two clauses contradict each other.

ACKNOWLEDGING the intentions of U.N. Resolution #28, and

REALIZING its shortcomings and lack of specifics,
Absolutely right.

RESOLVES TO ESTABLISH a standard for the quality of education to be given to all individuals under the age of 18 living in all member nations. The guidelines for such a standard are as follows:

• All citizens shall be given the right to free schooling (hereafter referred to as public schooling) which may begin at age 5 or any time thereafter, until the citizen turns 18, which shall be conducted in a public place and funded by the local government
• Citizens shall be given 12 years of public schooling, or will be freely schooled until the end of the academic year in which the citizen turns 18
What about a) students who are held back for failing grades, b) students who are held back because of family reasons, c) students who may immigrate from a non-UN member at an age above 5. All of these students may require either more than 12 years of public schooling or schooling past the age of 18.

• At the end of these 12 years of public schooling, or by the end of the academic year in which a citizen turns 18, that citizen shall be able to read, write and do arithmetic to a level which is practical, useful, and necessary for the lifestyles of the nation
First, see argument above. Second, see Gruenberg's disability argument. Third, what if the nation needs little reading, writing, or arithmetic, and what there is can be accomplished in fewer years? There are more than a few "backwards" societies in the UN. Fourth, why only reading, writing, and arithmetic?

• Citizens shall also receive education in the implementation of technologies as used in the business-places of the nation
Not always feasible, especially for rare and top secret technologies. Besides, it is not realistic for people to understand all the technologies used in computing, enterprise, carpentry, plumbing, military, etc.

• There shall be no restrictions on enrollment in a public school, save those of age
Does this mean once you're 18, you're out of luck? Also, in several places, you refer to "citizens". Doesn't this restrict enrollment to citizens of the nation, not landed immigrants, migrant workers, etc.?

• Students requiring special academic help shall be given that help to the fullest extent of the facilities in which they are enrolled
I read this as having no requirement of having these facilities, just that if they exist, students that need help should receive it. This doesn't help where there are no facilities.

• Public education shall be objective, and shall give citizens accurate information on subject matter without editing to fit any viewpoint
But what about information given to stimulate critical thought? You couldn't even give information on a specific viewpoint to expose students to it? Besides, everything is inherently biased; no person is perfect.

Again, I applaud your efforts to fix this resolution, but I believe it needs more work before it will be acceptable.

IC:
We cannot agree. All education within Darsomir is done under the auspices of the Flame, which, we understand, is considered a religion in other countries. This does not interfere with the curriculum for any subject.

Johannes
Representative to the UN for Her Holiness the Exarch Aristhia

To remove the teachings of the Flame from Darsomiri education would be considered a direct attack upon Darsomiri history, society and culture. To undertand the political structure of Darsomir, one must have studied the Flame, as the Exarchs who rule the nation are the representatives of the Flame.
To even suggest removing the Flame from Darsomir could well be considered an attack.

Gaeblyn, Acolyte of the Flame
Representative to the UN for His Holiness the Exarch Berenon.

OOC:
There shall be no restrictions on enrollment in a public school, save those of age
Are you saying that academically selective public schools, as exist in Australia, would be illegal under your proposal? Schools aren't allowed to set any criteria for entry?

OCC: Cool Draft!

Quote:
• At the end of these 12 years of public schooling, or by the end of the academic year in which a citizen turns 18, that citizen shall be able to read, write and do arithmetic to a level which is practical, useful, and necessary for the lifestyles of the nation

I agree with this quote! In our nation 96% of schools are public & with our good education system teach very strong good curriculums then the private schools. Private School's in our nation are for people intersted in certain academic themes (Sport, Art, Performing arts, Agriculture etc). So only if you want to learn sport, art, agriculture or whatever for 8 periods a week do yuo go to to private schools for. It all theme based in stead of Public (general all around themes). These schools however cost some expense!

After such an education (School begins at age 5 finishes 18) you have the option to go to college/university/special education learning (SEL). However its not compulsary! However a good pay job (US$65,000 +) requiries furthur education. 87% of Jobs are available without the need of furthur education (for US$65,000 & under).

Sorry about my ramblings, just giving a little on my world.

Like your draft though!!!

Thank you all for your criticisms and suggestions up to this point. Everything has been well-taken and considered. I will likely make a notepad file of all of these ideas and try to rewrite a more acceptable draft.

Everyone's insight into the problems with this piece are very much appreciated. As the author, it is a little more difficult for me to notice these things than the rest of the UN. I will do my best to take the advice presented here and use it to frame a resolution which the member nations of the UN can be proud to abide by.

Another point that it might be worth raising here is that not all the members of all the UN member-nations' populations are human: Some of them belong to other species, and some of those have [natural] average lifespans that differ sufficiently from the typical human one for any particular set of specified ages to be inappropriate in their case...

One word: micromanagement.