My oldest granddaughter is entering university this fall having, like so many others, graduated from grade twelve this year. I plan to write her some notes of advice but not before I offer here some scattered thoughts on the subject of education, this month’s focus of this publication. Let me start by stating that I do not profess to be an expert in education, whatever that might mean. My views are based upon my experience, which includes having taught at virtually every grade of elementary and secondary education, as well as university classes in various subjects in several countries.

What is in it?

A formal education will not guarantee a job or happiness. But the statistics are clear that those with higher education make more money. In turn money does not buy happiness but those without it generally do not have the same lot in life as those who do. Check the prison populations. The average level of education there is not as high as it is amongst those who live in a good privately-owned house. There are enough reports on these topics to choke a horse.

What kind of education?

University is fine for a minority of the population for whom it makes sense but most important is the gaining of a decent education by everyone, regardless of scholarly aptitude. An informed, literate and educated population is one of the greatest assets for any country. Dictatorships thrive on ignorance, whether they manufacture it or not. A healthy and educated population is one of the essential attributes of an effective government.

I have observed what may perhaps be an inflated regard by some Aboriginal people for a university education. I have also observed practices that lean towards giving free passes for university strugglers who have not found the gift they surely possess. I have known geniuses and great orators with little formal education. I have encountered fools and dunces with doctoral and other advanced degrees. Many tradesmen and other workers do much better in life, financially or otherwise, than university graduates. My remarks should be understood in light of my membership in the latter category.

In my view much too little emphasis is put on the value of sports and recreation in Canadian schools. I know that the mind and spirit work with the body. I know no better way to sharpen one’s intellectual focus than to participate in strenuous and regular physical activity.

Let me put in a good word for teachers. A pupil is lucky to have one or more of the right kind of teacher: the one who inspires a sense of curiosity in the world around us. A teacher who helps young people find out how much one’s world can be expanded and inspired by reading.

First Nation Education

Policy and law on First Nation issues tends to follow the interests of governments that provide the necessary funding. With the achievement of relative economic self-sufficiency many of the current debacles would dissipate and disappear. Some First Nations, particularly at the bookends of Canada, have been working on developing a statutory basis for the delivery of education to children on reserve. Various programs exist for post-secondary off-reserve education. By and large the education of First Nation folks is governed by the indefensible system in the 1876 Indian Act. It is essential that First Nation education institutions and arrangements undergo a transformation. This is demanded by all the relevant standards whether from international law or domestic values and principles including constitutional rights. There are optional approaches available for designing First Nations schooling but all of them require some statutory basis. Regardless of how the current debacle on a First Nation Education Act turns out, the education of the children deserves sustained and concerted effort.

Remembering Jamie Hammersmith:

Like many others in Saskatchewan who knew the young lawyer Jamie Hammersmith I was shocked and saddened to hear of his recent sudden death. I met Jamie when he was a student at the University Of Saskatchewan College Of Law. We played a couple of rounds of golf, a game he admired and loved. I had recently been in contact with Jamie, now a successful young man with a family. I regarded him as a man with a kind, generous and friendly soul. I am saddened at his untimely departure. My deepest condolences go to Cheyenne, Bernice and to all the family members in their time of sorrow.