I love JK Rowlings Harry Potter novels and there is a passage I wanted to share. Although the context in the following extract is about the students not practising spells in dark magic so they can protect themselves, it is an interesting commentary on education nonetheless. Take from it what you will.
“Yes, Miss Granger? You wanted to ask something else?”
“Yes,” said Hermoine. “Surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practise defensive spells?”
“Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?” asked Professor Umbridge in her falsely sweet voice.
“No, but – ”
“Well, then, I’m afraid you are not qualified to decide what the ‘whole point’ of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way –”
“What use is that?” said Harry loudly. “If we’re going to be attacked it won’t be in a –”
“Hand, Mr Potter!” sang Professor Umbridge.
Harry thrust his fist in the air. Professor Umbridge promptly turned away from them again, but now several other people had their hands up too…
“As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions,” said Professor Umbridge dismissively.
“Without ever practising them before?” said Parvati incredulously.
“Are you telling me that the first time we’ll get to do the spells will be during our exam?”
“I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough –”
“And what good’s theory going to be in the real world?” said Harry loudly, his fist in the air again.
Professor Umbridge looked up.
“This is college, Mr Potter, not the real world,” she said softly.
“So we’re not supposed to be prepared for what’s waiting out there?”
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