“Just imagine what greater numeracy skills will unlock” asked Rishi Sunak, PM. Rather than ask, why doesn’t he hire a load more maths teachers and improve the existing curriculum? Sunak aims to encourage confidence through better skills to help people navigate a fast changing and often terrifying or confusing world.
If he really wants to revamp the poor curriculum to equip the next generation, these are the life lessons the education system can teach. Cooking, cleaning ironing, dressing oneself, DIY skills, money, talking to the opposite sex, birth control, IT skills, driving and circus skills!
Cooking – beyond opening a tin, pot noodle, toast and phoning a Deliveroo, we are at a time of Masterchef and Bake Off, so a Nigella and Ottolenghi recipe list and sous vide techniques.
Cleaning – locate switch for robo-vac. Cif is only a partial answer. What cloth for loo rim and spillages? Which loo roll does what when? Correct sized bin liners and bin day.
Ironing – have a good friend. What is a pleat after the first wear? Fold and hang skills save ironing.
Dressing oneself – it’s not what to do it’s how you look doing it. A work-to-party wardrobe is essential. Don’t take labels off cheap tat for easier returns. Men, don’t wear socks with shorts or trainers with suits. Women, don’t go too short or high in winter.
DIY – Don’t involve yourself. There are too many tools and spare parts in too many boxes.
Money – don’t spend what you don’t have!
Talking to opposite sex – think, smile, talk clearly and have a good story ready..(in advance), wash, use deodorant, brush, toothpaste and remember there’s millions of others.
Sex and birth control – do the theory learning before the practical.
Driving – (shortage of drivers so compulsory).
Reinforce indicators usage, not speeding, don’t go slow driving in middle motorway lane or under passing, cars need to be washed.
IT Skills – as much as you can as long as you can.
Circus skills – learn to walk a tight rope, juggle everything and keep smiling.
Life is a life long learning experience. Just remember, keep learning, nobody knows it all, ever.
Doug James, Walsall