Need to revamp Indian Education System

Historically three systems have served the educational needs of Indians: Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, parochial or mission schools and public schools. These systems still involved in attempting to better the lot of the Indian have had much experience in providing programs to meet Indians’ needs and have been in the business of education on and off reservations for many years. In spite of what they have attempted and of what contributions they have made, acute problems exist in the Indian education field.

And Indian education will not progress, develop or evolve into a dynamic field unless the problems inherent in it are identified and solved.

Lack of money By far one of the most pressing problems is the unavailability of money or inadequate funding of Indian education programs or systems. The demand far exceeds the supply, and available monies are only for the most basic educational needs of the students

The irrelevant curricula just what do we mean by the often-repeated phrase, irrelevant curricula? It is schools not doing their job in meeting the needs of their students especially Indian students. This area encompasses some necessary corrections.

An Indian student presently is subjected to an educational system geared to the needs of the non-Indian student without any concern to unique problems and background of the Indian. Yes, the Indian must live in the white man’s world, but if he is to become a productive member of the human race, the schools must develop programs to meet his needs.

Another aspect is the stress of the English language in the system. If educators would recognize that the English language is not the mother tongue of most Indian students, educational programming could become more relevant, meaningful and rewarding to the Indian student,

If curriculum experts would include courses reflecting the positiveness of the Indians’ contributions to the greater society, another correction would be made.

Lack of qualified Indians in Indian education. By far the most glaring problem is the acute shortage of qualified Indians in Indian education. Materialistic gains, incentives and opportunities entice the qualified Indian educator away from this challenging field.

Insensitive school personnel. It is tragic that this exists in the 20th Century. Too many administrators and teachers are not knowledgeable about the students. Whether it is attributable to apathy, indifference or design does not lessen the problem.

Lack of involvement in and control of educational matters. The Indian has not been able to express his ideas on school programming or educational decision-making. When they have been expressed, his participation has been limited and restricted. If problems in Indian education are to be resolved, the Indian citizen must become involved.

There may be other factors which contribute to the problems of Indian education, but these some areas are, I think, contributing to the situation wherein Indian education is not realizing its full development.