Could school be making you stupid?

TV3’s David McWilliams is back with a brand new studio show on Thursday nights at 10pm exploring the big issues facing our society and economy. 

In episode three, David asks the question: Could school be making you stupid? David voices his concerns about Ireland’s education system, and specifically the Leaving Certificate, which he himself repeated. In a world that is rapidly changing, he asks if our schools are properly equipping children to be part of the workforce of the future. 

As a parent of two teenagers, it’s something David feels passionately about. He outlines his belief that the leaving cert kills creativity and curiosity, and leads to group think at the top of our public institutions.

He says: “What has happened to the kids that are eight and nine - who are only too willing to have a go, to give it a go, whether right or wrong - and the students at 21 and 22 who are petrified and full of doubt? What has happened to these people? I believe what has happened to them is school...There are many very clever people who leave school feeling very stupid; but the corollary is also true, there are many stupid people who left school feeling very clever.”

The show will feature Paddy Cosgrave, co-founder of the Web Summit; Fiona Looney, producer and writer; author Frankie Gafney and Eleanor McEvoy of Dragon's Den. 
Talking about Ireland’s education system, Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave said: “It is below average and falling fast, and we’ve been de-investing in our education system since the recession. So it’s only going to get worse and it will take a number of decades I guess for some of the impact of de-investing to hit. So we may end up with the worst education system in the western world, but our satisfaction rate with it (our system) is actually very, very high.” 
During the programme Dragon’s Den investor Eleanor McEvoy calls for the leaving cert to be abolished and says: “It is an unfair system of testing a child as they come out into the world. I can’t see reform working, it has to be abolished…I still have nightmares about the leaving cert. According to the school system I was the person least likely to succeed….If you get out of the school system with your self-esteem intact, as far as I’m concerned you’ve succeeded.”

The show will also feature comedy from Oliver Callan doing Leo’s weekly message and in studio comedy from Eric Lalor. 

David McWilliams’ Ireland: Could school be making you stupid? airs on TV3 on Thursday 16th November at 10pm.