Kourtney Kardashian: The Real Problem With Today’s School System – And What We Can Do To Change It

Kourtney Kardashian was recently called out for being out-of-touch with reality when she questioned why kids go to school. When she appeared on her sister’s, Khloe Kardashian, podcast, Khloe In Wonder Land podcast, Kourtney shared some of her unconventional parenting beliefs as she recalled starting to challenge the way that she and her family “function”. She said, ‘I feel like I love to just go against the grain, I think. I think living authentically is not conforming to whatever it is. For me, there’s so many ways. There’s ways we function as a family that…it’s like if someone does the same thing every day. I do it with everything, it’s not about our family. Like, let’s say the school system. I’ll think, ‘Why do kids fucking go to school?’ Truly. It’s so dated.’ Khloe’s reaction, ‘Oh, I’m such a homeschool person, so don’t even get me going.’ Kourtney continued, ‘So then I’ll start thinking, and then my kids will send me videos about, like, ‘Why do kids go to school?’ It’ll be really successful people and they’ll be like, ‘My kids never go to school and they’re never going to.’ And then I’m like, ‘What’s the goal here? You want to do homeschool? Let’s do it!’ Or whatever it is. I think it’s anything.’

There’s a lot I didn’t agree with Kourtney when it came to how she’s raised her kids and her overall way of living her life; like not giving her children Tylenol when they’re in pain or sick; like working 1-2 hours per week; like how she holds her youngest son Rocky the entire time that he sleeps, which can be up to 5 hours. All these factors come from privilege; no doubt about that. One user wrote on social media, ‘Uh…kids NEED school. For the educational aspects, naturally, but also? For the structure, discipline (like, ability to get things done in a time frame they don’t dictate). Learning how to get along with peers in settings that aren’t catered to them (aka real life). Dealing with conflict. Learning when to listen/not listen to authority. Handling everyday stresses like tests. Building a work ethic. How to be a leader for peers. How to speak publicly. Practicing art, science, math, language. These are all things I learned in school. I can’t with Kourtney. This is bad parenting, full stop.’

It’s all very true. But I also somehow agree with Kourtney. First and foremost, I think we have to look at the history of the education system. The history of school systems is actually a long and varied one, evolving from ancient forms of education to the modern, complex structures we see today. Early schools focused on specific needs, like training scribes in ancient Egypt or philosophical discourse in ancient Greece. The idea of mass education, funded publicly and accessible to all, is a relatively recent development, largely shaped by Enlightenment ideals and the need for a literate workforce. 

Early Forms of Education: 

• Ancient Civilizations: Education existed in various forms in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, and China, often tied to religious institutions, specific social classes, or the needs of the state. 
• Examples: Ancient Egypt saw schools for scribes and administrators. Ancient Greece had philosophical schools and gymnasiums for physical development. Ancient Rome had tuition-based schools. The gurukul system in India involved students living with their guru. 

The Rise of Formal Schools: 

• Middle Ages: Schools were often connected to monasteries and cathedral schools, focusing on religious education and classical texts. 
• Renaissance and Reformation: There was a renewed interest in classical learning and a move towards more secular education. 
• 18th and 19th Centuries: Enlightenment ideals emphasized reason and individual rights, leading to calls for more accessible and universal education. 
• Examples: Horace Mann in Massachusetts is often credited with pioneering the modern public school system in the 19th century. 

Development of Modern School Systems: 

• 19th and 20th Centuries: Mass public education systems were established in many countries, often with compulsory attendance laws. 
• Curriculum and Teacher Training: Curricula became more standardized, and teacher training became more formalized. 
• Funding and Governance: School systems were increasingly funded by taxes and governed by local or state authorities. 
• Post-World War II: Education systems continued to expand and evolve, with increased government involvement and a focus on vocational training and higher education. 

Key Developments in Canada: 

• Early Stages: Education in Canada was initially church-controlled, with a shift towards centralized authority, universal free education, and local taxation in the mid-1800s. 
• Provincial Control: Provincial departments of education were established, leading to more consistent curricula and better-trained teachers. 
• Compulsory Education: Compulsory school laws were introduced in 1871, requiring children to attend school for a certain period each year. 
• Ongoing Evolution: Canadian school systems continue to evolve, with ongoing debates about funding, curriculum, and the role of education in society. 

All of this is wonderful and absolutely necessary. Kids need to learn to have structure in the lives, as well as learn how to develop new life hacks and socialize with others. That’s why I sent my son to daycare. While my husband and I do our very best to bring as much value to him as we can, what he learns at daycare is really incomparable. Many view daycares as just a means of babysitting while parents are at work, but it’s much more than that. Daycares provide a space for children to interact with peers, learn to share, empathize, and build relationships. This early socialization can significantly impact their social and emotional well-being. Programs often incorporate learning activities that can boost cognitive skills, including language development and problem-solving abilities. Sending children to daycare introduces them to new concepts and activities, potentially giving them a head start in formal schooling. Some studies show that children in formal daycare settings may have stronger reading and math skills by age 5. More importantly, sending children to daycare boosts children’s confidence and independence.

This is exactly what makes school important as well. Kids attending school learn about the value of having structure in their lives. It helps them acquire new knowledge and skills continuously, develop critical thinking abilities, enhance social skills, and increase career opportunities. Attending school also fosters personal growth and development, promotes civic engagement, and contributes to overall cognitive and social growth. The biggest issue isn’t the WHAT, but rather the HOW. It’s how schools are implemented. It’s the school system’s inability to adequately prepare students for the complexities of the modern world, particularly in areas like critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. The system often prioritizes standardized testing and rote memorization over fostering creativity, collaboration, and individual learning styles. Additionally, issues like lack of individualized learning, chronic absenteeism, and a disconnect between curriculum and real-world application further contribute to the challenges faced by students and educators. 

One of the biggest issues I personally have with the school system is the outdated notion that there’s still a need for homework and tests. Homework and tests, as we know them today, evolved over time, with the modern concepts largely taking shape in the 19th and 20th centuries. While homework’s roots can be traced to ancient times, its formalization is often credited to Italian educator Roberto Nevilis in the early 1900s, who used it to reinforce learning and promote independent study. Tests, initially focused on rote memorization, later incorporated more complex assessments of understanding and critical thinking. 

Nevilis actually implanted the concept of homework as a form of punishment in 1905 for students’ lack of focus. Its intent was to reinforce students to learn and focus instead of misbehave. The practice of using homework as punishment has become less common as educators recognize its potential negative effects. And yet, students, as well as parents still view homework as a punishment. The biggest concern is that homework negatively impacts students’ well-being, particularly increased stress and reduced time for other activities. Excessive homework loads can lead to sleep deprivation, anxiety, and even physical health problems, while also taking away from time for social interaction, extracurriculars, and hobbies. 

The thing about homework and preparing for tests is that it takes away so much time away from the kids to do everything else; like spending time with their families and friends, work on their own passions, and enhance their life-skills. The concept of school is almost the same as a 9-5 job, except it’s much harder than a 9-5 job. In the real-world, in a real 9-5 job, you clock-in at 9 AM, you do what you need to do during the course of the 8 hours that you’re there, you clock-out, and then you go about your day and spend it however you see fit; whether it’s spending time with your friends and family, taking care of the kids, taking time for yourself to rest and recharge, or work on a passion project. No matter the case, whatever you do after 5 PM has nothing to do with your 9-5 job.

That’s just never the case at school. Between 8 AM to 3 PM, kids are in a structured environment where they’re guided by teachers who give them the knowledge, tools and support they need in order to be successful. Then they come home and spend so much of the rest of their day doing homework and studying for tests. But for what? The entire concept of handing out homework and tests seems so outdated to me. It’s not like anyone will EVER need to memorize anything. In the real-world, in any profession, if anyone doesn’t recall something specific, they can google it, ask a co-worker or a manager/boss, or use another resource to get the information they need in order to perform their job responsibly.

That being said, tests don’t reflect a child’s true intelligence and capabilities. They don’t accurately measure a student’s ability to comprehend complex material, write effectively, or apply knowledge to real-world situations. Test taking can only add pressure and stifle creativity and innovation in teaching and limit students’ exposure to diverse subjects and learning experiences, nor do they provide actual feedback. They don’t provide real-world applications, and therefore, aren’t relevant. And it’s not like there aren’t any alternatives that teachers could use instead of traditional testing. There are. In fact, there are 10 of them. These include:

1. Project-Based Learning: Students engage in long-term projects that require them to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, such as building a model, conducting an experiment, or designing a community service initiative. 

2. Portfolios: Students compile their work over time to showcase their learning journey, highlighting growth and evolution in their thinking. 

3. Presentations: Students can deliver presentations on topics related to the course material, demonstrating their understanding and communication skills. 

4. Performance-Based Tasks: These tasks require students to demonstrate their skills in action, such as conducting research, solving complex problems, or participating in debates. 

5. Case Studies: Analyzing and responding to case studies allows students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. 

6. Open Book Exams: Students can use resources while still demonstrating understanding and synthesis of course content. 

7. Short Answer/Essay Questions: These can encourage students to synthesize information and demonstrate understanding of key concepts. 

8. Group Projects: Collaborative projects can foster teamwork and communication skills while allowing students to learn from each other. 

9. Annotated Bibliographies or Anthologies: Students can compile and reflect on relevant resources, demonstrating their understanding of the course material’s context. 

10. Reflective Papers: These allow students to critically examine their learning experiences and thought processes. 

When I look back at my school days, I don’t think of the tests or anything I ‘learned’. And the reason why I use equation marks is because I don’t remember anything I ever learned at school; at least middle school and high school. Instead, I look back on the impact my teachers had on me, as well as how I was treated by my peers – friends, classmates, bullies, and whatnot. School, for me, was an escape from my home life when my mom was struggling with depression and my dad was spending his days at work. Even though being at school was anything but easy, it was still a great reason for me to have an 8 hour break from being at home. One teacher in particular made such a difference in my life like no other during that time in my life. She knew my situation at home, so she’d have me sit down at her desk for us to have a 1-on-1 together while the rest of the class were given exercises or group activities. I could talk about anything, really, including my feelings on my mom’s struggles with depression.

That same teacher was also one of the only two teachers I had who played a big role in protecting me against bullies. On one of our 1-on-1 sessions, I told her of an incident that had happened earlier in the day with another girl from another classroom. I knew what class the girl was in, so without hesitation, my teacher left the classroom, with me following her, to go to confront the girl. The girl never went near me thereafter. A couple of years later, I heard rumours that a classmate of mine had been telling others that I, a girl with cerebral palsy, deserved to be in a wheelchair. I didn’t know whether the rumours were true or not, so I hesitated telling my teacher, a different one this time. But I was encouraged to by the person that told me of what was said. Right when I told the teacher of what I’d heard, she confronted the classmate who allegedly said it. The girl, who never denied the allegations, had a note written in her records that she said what she said…

These were the two main events that I remember from my school days. It wasn’t the tests. It wasn’t the material I’d learned at school. It wasn’t the assignments even. It was the teachers; the good ones. These are so hard to find these days; the ones that went above and beyond for me. Those are extremely hard to find these days. Nowadays, a significant global teacher shortage is impacting schools worldwide, including Ontario, Canada. This shortage is characterized by a lack of qualified educators, leading to larger class sizes, increased workloads for teachers, and potential disruptions to student learning. Ontario, like many other regions, is grappling with this issue, with some schools experiencing daily shortages. The key factors contributing to teachers’ shortages include:

• Low Pay and High Workload: Teachers’ salaries often don’t keep pace with the rising cost of living, and they face heavy workloads, including administrative tasks and assessment burdens, which can lead to burnout and attrition. 
• Limited Support and Resources: Some teachers report feeling unsupported by school administrations and lack access to adequate resources to effectively manage their classrooms and meet student needs. 
• Attracting and Retaining Teachers: The combination of low pay, high workload, and lack of support makes it challenging to attract new teachers and retain experienced ones, exacerbating the shortage. 
• Impact on Educational Quality: Teacher shortages can lead to larger class sizes, which can make it difficult for teachers to provide individualized attention to students. It can also lead to a decline in the quality of education as schools may need to hire unqualified teachers or rely on unqualified substitutes. 

Specific Examples in Ontario: 

• In Ontario, some schools are facing daily shortages of teaching staff. 
• A significant number of schools report needing to hire non-certified teachers to fill vacancies, highlighting the severity of the shortage. 
• The Ontario College of Teachers has reported a decline in the number of teachers starting their careers on long-term contracts, with a greater reliance on daily roster and short-term occasional contracts. 
• The province is taking steps to address the shortage by increasing the number of spaces in teacher training programs and reviewing the length of teacher’s college programs. 

Addressing the Teacher Shortage: 

• Increased Funding and Competitive Salaries: Governments need to invest more in education and ensure teachers are fairly compensated for their work. 
• Reduced Workload and Administrative Burdens: Efforts should be made to streamline administrative tasks and reduce the overall workload for teachers, allowing them to focus on teaching and student support. 
• Improved Teacher Support and Professional Development: Providing teachers with ongoing support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities can help them feel more valued and equipped to handle the challenges of the profession. 
• Attracting Diverse Candidates: Recruiting teachers from diverse backgrounds and with varying experiences can help create a more inclusive and representative teaching force. 
• Shortening Teacher Training: While controversial, some are exploring shortening teacher training programs to help alleviate the shortage. 
• Reviewing Hiring Practices: School boards may need to review their hiring practices to ensure they are attracting and retaining qualified teachers and addressing the needs of their specific communities. 

According to a study, the most important teachers shortages statistic is that 86% of public schools struggle to hire educators. Less than 2 in 10 teachers are satisfied with their jobs. 51,000 teachers quit their jobs in the United States during 2023. 62% of teachers don’t want their children to become teachers. 35% of teachers plan to quit in the next 2 years, down from 44%. There are more than 36,500 teacher vacancies in the United States. Only 20% of the teaching workforce are people of color. And that’s not all…

American teacher weekly salaries have increased just $29 in 28 years. In the past 15 years, we’ve all gone through 2 recessions that drastically hit all of us financially, but especially teachers. The average weekly wages of teachers has been nearly flat since 1996. Between 1996 and 2021, a teacher’s average weekly salary increased just $29. Compared to other college graduates in other fields of study, their average weekly salary during this same time period increased by $445. Teachers earn 23.5% less than comparable college graduates. There are teachers who are paid less than 80 cents on the dollar compared to those with a similar college education. 67% of teachers all agreed that a pay raise would help fix the problems faced at the hands of teachers shortages and would motivate them to stay at their jobs. Another 62% agreed that smaller class sizes would help them, while another 62% are wanting more support for student discipline-related issues.

Teachers leaving their jobs due to their unhappiness at work is affecting students greatly. Almost half of students are now behind in at least one subject, as of 2023-2024 school year. This same survey cited that about 37% of public schools are operating with a minimum of 1 teaching vacancy, while another 45% of public schools are operating with at least 1 non-teaching vacancy. Teachers shortages are affecting subjects such as language arts, world languages, career and technical education, English as a second language (ESL), social studies, and/or physical fitness. 

This is a lot of information to take in. It was never, ever a secret that being a teacher is one of the toughest jobs out there. Both my grandmothers were teachers. My mom was a teacher. Some of my closest friends were teachers as well. They’d always tell me stories about the hardships of their jobs and everything they’d entailed. But they’d always tell me just how rewarding and fulfilling their jobs were, even with the fact that they were underpaid. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything…in the worst ways. The lack of funding from the government has put a lot of stress on teachers. I saw numerous of my teacher friends have to obtain second jobs and/or start new businesses on top of being overworked in their first ones just to scape by in the years since.

That being said, I can’t expect my son, for instance, to have the same 2 teachers that I had back in my day. Now, as I’m getting to know all the facts, I’m scared to even think about what his school days will look like when his time will come. Teachers aren’t there to just educate their students. They’re also there to mentor them; to guide them. Who will do this for my son? Having good teachers that kids can look up to is crucial for student success and overall societal well-being. They significantly impact academic achievement, social-emotional development, and long-term life outcomes. Effective teachers create a positive learning environment, inspire a love of learning, and act as role models, influencing students’ values and character. To break things down more thoroughly:

Academic Impact: 

• Enhanced Learning: Research shows that good teachers can accelerate learning significantly, with students potentially progressing at a rate of one and a half grade levels in a single academic year. 
• Improved Test Scores: Effective teaching methods, like active learning strategies, can lead to better understanding and retention of information, positively impacting test scores. 
• Future Success: Good teachers can boost students’ lifetime income and prepare them for college and careers. 

Social-Emotional Development: 

• Positive Relationships: Caring and supportive teachers foster positive relationships, which are crucial for student well-being and can be particularly important for students facing challenges. 
• Social and Emotional Growth: Teachers play a vital role in developing students’ social and emotional skills, which are linked to long-term health, education, and employment success. 
• Role Models: Teachers serve as role models, influencing students’ values, character, and motivation. 

Long-Term Impact: 

• Life-Long Learners: Good teachers inspire a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom, fostering a desire for continuous growth and development. 
• Community Engagement: Teachers connect with their community, promoting civic engagement and social responsibility. 
• Innovation and Creativity: By fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, teachers play a crucial role in nurturing innovation and creativity within society. 

All this was exactly what the two teachers I mentioned earlier did for me. But the value in kids being taught by good teachers doesn’t end in middle school; or even high school. It continues on through university and college as well. I myself had some amazing teachers when I was in college; ones that motivated me and guided me through my struggles. The best teachers I had were the ones that had the unconventional approach to teaching; the ones who allowed open-book tests and exams; the ones that used case studies as questions for the final exams; the ones that had the class do essays, group work, and presentations as assignments instead of tests; the ones who actually listened to what their students had to say; the ones who weren’t there just to teach, but to also be students’ mentors and coaches.

I went to post-secondary education to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources. The road to get there wasn’t easy, but I did it. It was a program that I didn’t necessarily choose. It was chosen for me. After my first year, I wanted to quit the program and start anew. I had a 1.1 GPA. I just didn’t see the point in continuing. But then, my disability counsellor, the person who was supposed to be HELPING me, looked at my marks on her screen and said, ‘You’ll never achieve anything beyond what I see on my screen.’ This treatment was nothing new. My parents were told this too when I was growing up. The difference here was that I was an adult and it was told to my face. I left the office without saying a word. No tears; just told myself, ‘I’ll show that B*TCH!’ And I did…

I DID show that b*tch. I ended my program with a 3.9 GPA. It took me longer than expected to complete the program, but nevertheless, I did it. And the best part about it – I got the disability counsellor fired in the end. It all happened thanks to two great teachers who actually listened to what I had to say about my experience at the school and everything that I’d endured. I remember I was in one of my classes when my professor listened in to my conversation with my classmates. He looked shocked. He even had his mouth open. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. My classmate said to me, ‘This is like having a bad teacher.’ I said, ‘No, it’s worse. Teachers can be changed, and teachers are only there for 4 months at a time. I have a choice not to ever choose a bad teacher. There’s no choice with a disability counsellor.’ I then went to my guidance counsellor. He told me to go to my disability counsellor for an issue I went to him for, and I said there was no way I’d be going to her. I told him exactly why, and the disability counsellor was then immediately changed. It was just a TAD too late…

I was recently reminded of this when I recently met a friend’s girlfriend who now attends the same school as I did. Ironically, she even attends the same campus as I did. She asked me what my experience was like, and I told her honestly and truthfully; without any sugarcoating in tow. My experience in college was hard, but also worth it. It prepared me for the real world; a world that is truly against people like me. That said, I was an adult when I attended college. Kourtney Kardashian was talking about the school system that entails for young kids.

I wish for young kids to experience the unconventional ways of thinking; of learning. But for that to happen, changes need to be made – NOW. Teachers need to start having better working conditions. Teachers need to start getting paid for what they’re worth. And more teachers need to start teaching kids the unconventional ways. Forget tests. Forget homework. We need to teach kids life skills; life skills that they’ll utilize in the future. Like…money management, chores, cooking, team building, public speaking. If there’s one thing Kourtney Kardashian was right about, it’s the school system. We need to start pacing the way for kids to provide them better futures, and we need to start now. If we don’t, we’ll only be setting them up to fail…