[DRAFT] Mandatory Science Curricula

[Bananaistan]

"It is rather hard to take your "won't-someone-think-of-the-children" pleas seriously when you propose to exempt entire nations and certain schools, and a whole class of children. Forgive me for utterly dismissing your crocodile tears while this remains the case. Either this is important and should apply to everyone, or it's unimportant and not worthy of this assembly's time."

"Excuse me? Can the Ambassador for Wayneactia not speak for himself?"

"Firstly, that was my opinion. If I wanted to plea for something, I wouldn't have written a resolution putting my ideas forward, so it's absolutely bizzare you see it like that."

"Secondly, I am not proposing to exempt entire nations, certain schools, or a whole class of children, and frankly, I am totally confused as to where that has come from. It is clear to me that you didn't read my response to this exact same question when you asked me earlier. I am making an attempt to ensure that as many students as possible recieve an education in the sciences without infringing upon the rights of certain schools that legally have the choice to teach the sciences, because either they are businesses, or they do not fit between preschool and higher education. How is that in any way exclusive? I am trying to be as inclusive to different schools as possible."

"Thirdly, following your line of reasoning, would the government of Bananaistan legislate that businesses (in this case private schools) should sell certain products (in this case educational courses), because everybody needs to have those products (in this case science education)? Or would the government of Bananaistan like to enforce science education at art schools, or culinary schools, or music schools? Because that's what you're proposing. I am disappointed that you have taken such a black-or-white position on this issue, because it is multi-faceted, and is affected by many factors.

"And lastly, you do not speak for everyone when you say that this issue is not worth the assembly's time because it doesn't meet your personal criterion. This is an assembly, as I am sure you are aware. In future, try not to rely on vitriolic language to disregard the arguments I put forward. It doesn't help anything."

"Excuse me? Are you suggesting that I am not entitled to give the views of the people and government of Bananaistan?

"Secondly, exempting x, y and z is exactly what you are proposing here. It is a fact that there are misguided liberal and capitalist nations in this assembly who allow profiteers and exploiters get involved in the education of children. Your proposal exempts these. It is there in black and white. If a "school" does not receive public funds, you propose that it need not teach science.

"Thirdly. Red herring. I have not proposed anything. I am simply reiterating that the concerns of the Bananamen government that private schools should not be exempted completely from these mandates. I'll reiterate it again. Education being in the hands of profiteers is no good reason to allow them to provide shoddy incomplete education. In existing legislation the WA has already imposed broad requirements on member states to ensure comprehensive education is provided to all citizens without regard to the ownership structure of the schools or the economic system of the member state. In the Kenmorian draft on this topic, several delegations raised this issue and the proposal was amended accordingly. You should do the same instead of wringing your hands worrying about the rights of businesses while leaving the right of children to a comprehensive education to the vagaries of market economics.

"In any case, it is an accepted fact of international law that the WA and member states restrict exactly what goods and services businesses supply and how they supply them. Regulation in the public interest is entirely reasonable.

"Lastly, I will be as vitriolic as I like when I see delegations proposing legislation which does not adequately protect and serve the interests of the section of the international proletariat who have the misfortune to live in member states where education is not entirely publicly funded."

[Kaschovia]

"Excuse me? Can the Ambassador for Wayneactia not speak for himself?"

"Firstly, that was my opinion. If I wanted to plea for something, I wouldn't have written a resolution putting my ideas forward, so it's absolutely bizzare you see it like that."

"Secondly, I am not proposing to exempt entire nations, certain schools, or a whole class of children, and frankly, I am totally confused as to where that has come from. It is clear to me that you didn't read my response to this exact same question when you asked me earlier. I am making an attempt to ensure that as many students as possible recieve an education in the sciences without infringing upon the rights of certain schools that legally have the choice to teach the sciences, because either they are businesses, or they do not fit between preschool and higher education. How is that in any way exclusive? I am trying to be as inclusive to different schools as possible."

"Thirdly, following your line of reasoning, would the government of Bananaistan legislate that businesses (in this case private schools) should sell certain products (in this case educational courses), because everybody needs to have those products (in this case science education)? Or would the government of Bananaistan like to enforce science education at art schools, or culinary schools, or music schools? Because that's what you're proposing. I am disappointed that you have taken such a black-or-white position on this issue, because it is multi-faceted, and is affected by many factors.

"And lastly, you do not speak for everyone when you say that this issue is not worth the assembly's time because it doesn't meet your personal criterion. This is an assembly, as I am sure you are aware. In future, try not to rely on vitriolic language to disregard the arguments I put forward. It doesn't help anything."

"Excuse me? Are you suggesting that I am not entitled to give the views of the people and government of Bananaistan?

"Secondly, exempting x, y and z is exactly what you are proposing here. It is a fact that there are misguided liberal and capitalist nations in this assembly who allow profiteers and exploiters get involved in the education of children. Your proposal exempts these. It is there in black and white. If a "school" does not receive public funds, you propose that it need not teach science.

"Thirdly. Red herring. I have not proposed anything. I am simply reiterating that the concerns of the Bananamen government that private schools should not be exempted completely from these mandates. I'll reiterate it again. Education being in the hands of profiteers is no good reason to allow them to provide shoddy incomplete education. In existing legislation the WA has already imposed broad requirements on member states to ensure comprehensive education is provided to all citizens without regard to the ownership structure of the schools or the economic system of the member state. In the Kenmorian draft on this topic, several delegations raised this issue and the proposal was amended accordingly. You should do the same instead of wringing your hands worrying about the rights of businesses while leaving the right of children to a comprehensive education to the vagaries of market economics.

"In any case, it is an accepted fact of international law that the WA and member states restrict exactly what goods and services businesses supply and how they supply them. Regulation in the public interest is entirely reasonable.

"Lastly, I will be as vitriolic as I like when I see delegations proposing legislation which does not adequately protect and serve the interests of the section of the international proletariat who have the misfortune to live in member states where education is not entirely publicly funded."

"My initial comments were addressed to the Ambassador for Wayneactia, and I'd hoped that I would get some kind of response from them in return. At not a single point did I suggest that you're not entitled to present the views of the people or government of Bananaistan, so once again, I find this rhetoric completely bizarre. If your initial response to my comments were in anyway similar to how you have now responded, there would have been less confusion. I hope you understand this, because I appreciate that you have decided to present actual arguments so I have something constructive to work from."

"In response to your first, second, and third points, then, how would you suggest it be legislated to include private schools where science is not the focus of study for their students, but rather schools focused on the arts, or culinary studies, or music studies, for example? How do those schools fit in with your standards? They exist to teach students who are paying for a focused education in a particular field, rather than a more general education in a wider variety of subjects, so how can we mandate that they divert their focus, resources, and money, onto to establishing a proper scheme of scientific education, when they were established purely to provide an alternative educational experience that people are paying for? Do you believe all schools should be public, and or provide the same educational experience? Because if so, that in itself exempts an unprecedented number of students passionate and willing to pay for schooling in subjects non-specific to the sciences."

"I am not leaving the right of children to a comprehensive education to the vagaries of market economics, because private school is an optional investment. Nobody is forcing a child enrolled at a private school to stay there if the private school does not offer science courses or does not offer a good education. If they're enrolled at a private school that does not offer science courses, then they can enroll at one that does, or go to public school, where science would be mandatory teaching. I am emphasizing the issues in enforcing scientific education at institutions where it is not the primary focus of the students that attend, in order to establish better parameters within which mandatory science curricula can be taught in as wide a range of schools as possible."

"In response to your last point, do you believe this resolution should mandate that in nations where there are not enough publicly funded schools and not enough people able to afford private schooling, that the private schools of that nation should offer free education in the sciences to cover those people, but in nations where there are an adequate number of public schools and enough people able to pay for private schooling, that private schools should have the choice to teach sciences?"

"Thank you for the points you have raised, Ambassador. They have been much more constructive."

[Bruke]

“As it stands, this proposal has our support.”

[Satuga]

The Satugan people are mixed upon the feelings of this draft. On one hand it is important to the public health and intelligence, however there are many people who do not support science, and while Satuga in it's public schools do teach these subjects, many other nations who are much more religious in belief and institution will inevitably not agree with this resolution. Since Satuga is all about freedom of the people we cannot either agree or disagree with said resolution and thus shall stay neutral. Do not take this as us saying it is acceptable for adults to control their children, since Satuga is all about freedom that includes everyone even children. Children are allowed to challenge their parents when it comes to religion or education, it is not the parents choice on whether or not to educate the child/teen but rather the child/teens choice and many policies are taken into effect to ensure children and teens cannot be coerced into not pursuing education or religious freedoms.

[The New Bluestocking Homeland]

"This delegation applauds the proposal's effort to mandate science education at a higher level of education, and broadly agrees with many of its clauses.

"However, we do not see why private schools should be exempt from it, leaving children in private religious institutions -- for example -- at risk of leaving school educationally behind their counterparts.

"We would recommend that FURTHER ACKOWLEDGING and NOTING be amended, so that private religious and other institutions must teach recognised scientific theories to a nationally accredited standard, while also having their beliefs respected and having the freedom to teach those alongside. To the delegation of NBH, this seems to be a compromise that would allow private institutions freedom and flexibility, while also recognising the child's right to a scientific education that will equip them for life."

[Kaschovia]

“As it stands, this proposal has our support.”

"The support is greatly appreciated, and I am very pleased that the motivations of this proposal have resonated with you as much as they do with me."

The Satugan people are mixed upon the feelings of this draft. On one hand it is important to the public health and intelligence, however there are many people who do not support science, and while Satuga in it's public schools do teach these subjects, many other nations who are much more religious in belief and institution will inevitably not agree with this resolution. Since Satuga is all about freedom of the people we cannot either agree or disagree with said resolution and thus shall stay neutral. Do not take this as us saying it is acceptable for adults to control their children, since Satuga is all about freedom that includes everyone even children. Children are allowed to challenge their parents when it comes to religion or education, it is not the parents choice on whether or not to educate the child/teen but rather the child/teens choice and many policies are taken into effect to ensure children and teens cannot be coerced into not pursuing education or religious freedoms.

"Thank you for the feedback, Ambassador."

"It is hard to address the issue of parental control over the education of their child, because it is such a nuanced issue with so many variables. It is a shame that parents may choose an educational path for a child that might leave them at a disadvantage, but the World Assembly, unfortunately, can't cover these personal disputes; it can only offer solutions. This is the solution I am offering to this problem. I am aware that there will be a lot of nations who do not agree with it, but I believe this proposal will ensure that as many students as possible, in the stages of education between preschool and higher education, recieve a scientific education."

"This delegation applauds the proposal's effort to mandate science education at a higher level of education, and broadly agrees with many of its clauses.

"However, we do not see why private schools should be exempt from it, leaving children in private religious institutions -- for example -- at risk of leaving school educationally behind their counterparts.

"We would recommend that FURTHER ACKOWLEDGING and NOTING be amended, so that private religious and other institutions must teach recognised scientific theories to a nationally accredited standard, while also having their beliefs respected and having the freedom to teach those alongside. To the delegation of NBH, this seems to be a compromise that would allow private institutions freedom and flexibility, while also recognising the child's right to a scientific education that will equip them for life."

"Your support is appreciated, Ambassador."

"Like I said to the ambassador for Satuga, it is a shame that a child might be limited by their parents' beliefs in terms of access to scientific education throughout their academic career, but the World Assembly simply isn't equipped to resolve personal familial disputes. I want to offer the broadest and fairest solution to a current lack of encouragement for scientific teaching without completely neglecting the rights of thousands of religious nations to privately teach their beliefs. Like I have emphasized, if a nation funds a school, it must teach science to prevent state-wide religious indoctrination. If those schools are privately funded and operate legally outside the jurisdiction of their respective government, then they reserve the right to teach their curricula."

"The ambassador for Satuga explained it quite well: 'Since Satuga is all about freedom of the people we cannot either agree or disagree with said resolution and thus shall stay neutral,'. If you value the freedom of effective scientific education to all children subject to their government, and even monetary freedoms to acquire income through whatever business venture one may wish to pursue, then this proposal is perhaps something you can find a way to support. However, if you value complete control over educational institutions, both public and private, to teach whatever is deemed internationally acceptable, then this resolution is not for you."

[Gaihia]

"We understand the concept, and maybe even the reason behind it. Either way, we most definitely support the proposal."

(OOC. Wait, am I even allowed to do that here...?)

[Kaschovia]

"We understand the concept, and maybe even the reason behind it. Either way, we most definitely support the proposal."

(OOC. Wait, am I even allowed to do that here...?)

"I appreciate your support, Ambassador for Gaihia."

OOC: Yes. You can express your support for a proposal in the thread of the proposal

[Araraukar]

OOC: Given the precedent found in the basic education curriculum requirements, there's no reason to let private schools and homeschooling skip on curriculum requirements. It's how it works in RL too; you can add on top of the basic requirements if you want, but you need to teach the basic requirements, which are dictated by the state.

[Kaschovia]

OOC: Given the precedent found in the basic education curriculum requirements, there's no reason to let private schools and homeschooling skip on curriculum requirements. It's how it works in RL too; you can add on top of the basic requirements if you want, but you need to teach the basic requirements, which are dictated by the state.

OOC: Is there any legislation that mandates these basic curriculum requirements? I have looked thoroughly through previously passed resolutions and haven't found basic requirements for scientific education. If there were, Kenmoria and I needn't have pursued this issue.

A RL example:

https://www.gov.uk/types-of-school/private-schools

"Private schools (also known as ‘independent schools’) charge fees to attend instead of being funded by the government. Pupils do not have to follow the national curriculum."

And if I am correct, the US doesn't have a national curriculum by which these basic requirements are to be applied to private schools?

[Araraukar]

OOC: Is there any legislation that mandates these basic curriculum requirements? I have looked thoroughly through previously passed resolutions and haven't found basic requirements for scientific education.

OOC: You haven't looked very closely if you missed this.

[Kaschovia]

OOC: Is there any legislation that mandates these basic curriculum requirements? I have looked thoroughly through previously passed resolutions and haven't found basic requirements for scientific education.

OOC: You haven't looked very closely if you missed this.

OOC: Ah, okay.

Nonetheless, perhaps this resolution could reference these basic requirements, but mandate that beyond those basic requirements is the area of effect the resolution has? So, if private schools meet these basic requirements for education, then once those requirements have been satisfied, they are free to teach their own curricula? Also, the resolution you linked refers to primary education only, and not secondary education, which is an area of effect for this resolution as well as primary.

[Araraukar]

primary education ... secondary education

OOC: Just OOCly please define those terms or their differences? Because they often mean different things in different school systems.

[Kaschovia]

primary education ... secondary education

OOC: Just OOCly please define those terms or their differences? Because they often mean different things in different school systems.

OOC: Well, in the UK, it would mean primary is for children between 4 and 11 years old, and secondary is for children between 12 and 16. Higher education being post-16, college, sixth form, etc. Each country RL will have their version of these different stages according to the ages I have given above. The US has like 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, etc.

[Kenmoria]

OOC: Just OOCly please define those terms or their differences? Because they often mean different things in different school systems.

OOC: Well, in the UK, it would mean primary is for children between 4 and 11 years old, and secondary is for children between 12 and 16. Higher education being post-16, college, sixth form, etc. Each country RL will have their version of these different stages according to the ages I have given above. The US has like 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, etc.

(OOC: Not every country’s delineations correspond to the same ages. The UK and US are pretty similar, though they do have differences, but they are both very different to the Chinese system, which is different to the education of Tokelau. Given how different RL countries are, NS ones will be barely comparable in some nations.)

[Satuga]

The Satugan people are mixed upon the feelings of this draft. On one hand it is important to the public health and intelligence, however there are many people who do not support science, and while Satuga in it's public schools do teach these subjects, many other nations who are much more religious in belief and institution will inevitably not agree with this resolution. Since Satuga is all about freedom of the people we cannot either agree or disagree with said resolution and thus shall stay neutral. Do not take this as us saying it is acceptable for adults to control their children, since Satuga is all about freedom that includes everyone even children. Children are allowed to challenge their parents when it comes to religion or education, it is not the parents choice on whether or not to educate the child/teen but rather the child/teens choice and many policies are taken into effect to ensure children and teens cannot be coerced into not pursuing education or religious freedoms.

"Thank you for the feedback, Ambassador."

"It is hard to address the issue of parental control over the education of their child, because it is such a nuanced issue with so many variables. It is a shame that parents may choose an educational path for a child that might leave them at a disadvantage, but the World Assembly, unfortunately, can't cover these personal disputes; it can only offer solutions. This is the solution I am offering to this problem. I am aware that there will be a lot of nations who do not agree with it, but I believe this proposal will ensure that as many students as possible, in the stages of education between preschool and higher education, recieve a scientific education."

"Hello fellow Ambassador, I much appreciate your response and have reviewed it thoroughly however I will not be the one to respond this time, instead the pleasure of that will be taken by the Satugan President Sanguel Manyana." -Ambassador of Satuga

"Hello Ambassador of Kascohvia, It's a pleasure to speak with you and to have read your official response. I have read it twice over and have concluded to the thoughts I shall share with you. First I would like to say, yes it is incredibly hard to address the issue of parental control, especially as many parents consider themselves the 'owners' of their children which is frankly disgusting. This caused Satuga many problems within the start of our fine country as staking out how parents are controlling their children is incredibly difficult especially when the parent does it subtly, the way we as a country have combated this is by creating a division of special child teachers, promptly named Child Independence Team or CIT for short. Sometimes we cannot help a child from being influenced by a controlling parents who knows their way around their own tongue, however this is a reality we as a people must face, and need to attempt to mitigate these situations. With that said, I appreciate your attempt to explain your proposition, however we as a country cannot change stances on this proposal, as it would go against our core ideals of political and social freedoms. It cannot be our choice to force a child to learn something but the childs own choice to be curious enough to learn it. As such Satuga shall remain neutral within this Resolution. Thank you for your time and patience Ambassador of Kascohvia."- 64th President Sanguel Manyana

[Kaschovia]

OOC: Well, in the UK, it would mean primary is for children between 4 and 11 years old, and secondary is for children between 12 and 16. Higher education being post-16, college, sixth form, etc. Each country RL will have their version of these different stages according to the ages I have given above. The US has like 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, etc.

(OOC: Not every country’s delineations correspond to the same ages. The UK and US are pretty similar, though they do have differences, but they are both very different to the Chinese system, which is different to the education of Tokelau. Given how different RL countries are, NS ones will be barely comparable in some nations.)

OOC: I was going to make the point that RL nations could not be comparable to NS nations because of how different they are to each other, but I wanted to offer a RL example to explain the concept of secondary and primary education. IA's resolution doesn't state the age range of primary education, which is why I believe it is important to try to make that distinction. Thanks for pointing that out as well, though. And also, IA's resolution, like Araraukar said, put in place the basic requirements for education. Our resolutions aim to add that extra layer of assurance of access to scientific education. Of course, we both have taken different approaches.

"Thank you for the feedback, Ambassador."

"It is hard to address the issue of parental control over the education of their child, because it is such a nuanced issue with so many variables. It is a shame that parents may choose an educational path for a child that might leave them at a disadvantage, but the World Assembly, unfortunately, can't cover these personal disputes; it can only offer solutions. This is the solution I am offering to this problem. I am aware that there will be a lot of nations who do not agree with it, but I believe this proposal will ensure that as many students as possible, in the stages of education between preschool and higher education, recieve a scientific education."

"Hello fellow Ambassador, I much appreciate your response and have reviewed it thoroughly however I will not be the one to respond this time, instead the pleasure of that will be taken by the Satugan President Sanguel Manyana." -Ambassador of Satuga

"Hello Ambassador of Kascohvia, It's a pleasure to speak with you and to have read your official response. I have read it twice over and have concluded to the thoughts I shall share with you. First I would like to say, yes it is incredibly hard to address the issue of parental control, especially as many parents consider themselves the 'owners' of their children which is frankly disgusting. This caused Satuga many problems within the start of our fine country as staking out how parents are controlling their children is incredibly difficult especially when the parent does it subtly, the way we as a country have combated this is by creating a division of special child teachers, promptly named Child Independence Team or CIT for short. Sometimes we cannot help a child from being influenced by a controlling parents who knows their way around their own tongue, however this is a reality we as a people must face, and need to attempt to mitigate these situations. With that said, I appreciate your attempt to explain your proposition, however we as a country cannot change stances on this proposal, as it would go against our core ideals of political and social freedoms. It cannot be our choice to force a child to learn something but the childs own choice to be curious enough to learn it. As such Satuga shall remain neutral within this Resolution. Thank you for your time and patience Ambassador of Kascohvia."- 64th President Sanguel Manyana

"Thanks for your in depth response, Ambassador. If you have any other concerns or ideas about this resolution, please let us know."

[Satuga]

"Hello fellow Ambassador, I much appreciate your response and have reviewed it thoroughly however I will not be the one to respond this time, instead the pleasure of that will be taken by the Satugan President Sanguel Manyana." -Ambassador of Satuga

"Thanks for your in depth response, Ambassador. If you have any other concerns or ideas about this resolution, please let us know."

(OOC) It wasn't the Ambassador's response btw

[Kaschovia]

"Thanks for your in depth response, Ambassador. If you have any other concerns or ideas about this resolution, please let us know."

(OOC) It wasn't the Ambassador's response btw

OOC: Your President can be your Ambassador to the WA too

[Satuga]

(OOC) It wasn't the Ambassador's response btw

OOC: Your President can be your Ambassador to the WA too

OOC: "Ambassadors serve 'at the pleasure of the President'"-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambassadors_of_the_United_States#targetText=Ambassadors%20of%20the%20United%20States%20are%20persons%20nominated%20as%20ambassadors,as%20ambassadors%2Dat%2Dlarge.&targetText=Ambassadors%20serve%20%22at%20the%20pleasure,be%20dismissed%20at%20any%20time. at least not in the US lol

[Kaschovia]

OOC: Your President can be your Ambassador to the WA too

OOC: "Ambassadors serve 'at the pleasure of the President'"-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambassadors_of_the_United_States#targetText=Ambassadors%20of%20the%20United%20States%20are%20persons%20nominated%20as%20ambassadors,as%20ambassadors%2Dat%2Dlarge.&targetText=Ambassadors%20serve%20%22at%20the%20pleasure,be%20dismissed%20at%20any%20time. at least not in the US lol

OOC: Okay

[Kaschovia]

"I've amended the resolution to demand that the curricula of private schools are respected and upheld internationally, in addition to the curricula mandated by the Assembly through this resolution. I believe that if the submission of the Kenmorian proposal had occurred perhaps a day or two from now, we would have been able to voice our concerns fully and suggest changes to wording and or content, but since we do not currently have access to any time machinery, we will simply have to continue working on the Kaschovian draft, so that it may travel its full course through the GA process. I hope this amendment raises the probability of success for this proposal, because it is a topic our country cares deeply about, and would regret to see our work be hindered by disputes over which schools should be affected. The foundation of the proposal remains, scientific education should be the international right of every student."

[Kenmoria]

“What does the ‘demands’ clause mean? Respecting the criteria of private schools can mean quite a lot of things, and this would appear to contradict with the requirements about science education.”

[Araraukar]

OOC: I was going to make the point that RL nations could not be comparable to NS nations because of how different they are to each other

OOC: I'm almost certain you didn't intend to say this, because NS nations are MUCH more different from one another than RL nations, even the ones that are on the same general tech level.

but I wanted to offer a RL example to explain the concept of secondary and primary education.

Well, in UK, yeah.

But in RL Finland, primary (and mandatory) is 9 years of school, usually ages 6-16 (though if you keep failing to advance, you need to keep trying until age 19 I think it was), secondary is split to academic and vocational and is 2-4 years, usually 3, then tertiary is similarly split to universities for academic and polytechnics (though the latters call themselves universities, you gain a profession from one, not an academic degree) for vocational. Quaternary would be post-grad and doctorates in universities. The Finnish language is comparatively faster to learn due to spelling and pronunciation having more to do with one another than in English, so children don't need to start at 5 and can do preschool-type learning at home or daycare, rather than actual part of a school system.

That's pretty much the reason I asked you to define how you thought it works; to point out that there are considerable differences in even the school systems we can point at as RL examples.

IA's resolution

IA just manages the thread, but Promotion of Basic Education was authored by Sionis Prioratus.

doesn't state the age range of primary education

And you doing so now would contradict a much later resolution.

[Kaschovia]

“What does the ‘demands’ clause mean? Respecting the criteria of private schools can mean quite a lot of things, and this would appear to contradict with the requirements about science education.”

"My intention with that clause was, with all the debate around whether or not private schools should be affected, to avoid discrediting their curricula all together. But, you're right, I don't want more confusion. I will remove the clause."

"On another note, what do you think about the amendments I have made?"

OOC: I'm almost certain you didn't intend to say this, because NS nations are MUCH more different from one another than RL nations, even the ones that are on the same general tech level.

OOC: I did, actually. My point is that NS nations are different to RL nations. '... they are' meaning NS nations and RL nations. I didn't say that all NS nations were similar to all other NS nations.

Well, in UK, yeah.

But in RL Finland, primary (and mandatory) is 9 years of school, usually ages 6-16 (though if you keep failing to advance, you need to keep trying until age 19 I think it was), secondary is split to academic and vocational and is 2-4 years, usually 3, then tertiary is similarly split to universities for academic and polytechnics (though the latters call themselves universities, you gain a profession from one, not an academic degree) for vocational. Quaternary would be post-grad and doctorates in universities. The Finnish language is comparatively faster to learn due to spelling and pronunciation having more to do with one another than in English, so children don't need to start at 5 and can do preschool-type learning at home or daycare, rather than actual part of a school system.

That's pretty much the reason I asked you to define how you thought it works; to point out that there are considerable differences in even the school systems we can point at as RL examples.

OOC: So we've both got contrasting examples for RL countries and their academic systems, but the core of the proposal is simply to ensure that students between the stages of preschool and higher education are affected. I don't want to insult your intelligence because I know you understand these concepts, but for the sake of the proposal, preschool meaning before you begin wider study of English, Maths, Science, Humanities, etc... (< 4 years of age), and higher education meaning after you have recieved formal qualifications in those subjects of wider study, OR, if you're at a private study, a formal qualification for any of the subjects that one may choose to study at that school. An example of higher education being college, sixth form (UK), or, as you put it, secondary education (Finland).

IA just manages the thread, but Promotion of Basic Education was authored by Sionis Prioratus.

OOC: My apologies.

And you doing so now would contradict a much later resolution.

OOC: I think that might be a more general issue with how different NS nations are and how we write our proposals. Anything can might mean totally different things for different NS nations, so it is hard to find the correct wording that can apply to all WA members. I can only try.