Protesting against the unknown

 Many of us have been deeply tangles into heated arguments about current issues such as politics or economics. Recently, minister Wert's proposed educational plan has been topic of many intense arguments, very often against its approval. I myself had a strong opinion against it. But, do we really know what the educational plan is or we're arguing merely to attack our opponents in a biased and irrational way?

Last Tuesday, the 'Premios Final de Carrera' were given to all of the top-achieving students in their respective university degrees who were finishing their superior studies that year. In an act normally blushed in happiness and pride, were some of the most promising rising professionals receive their well-deserved recognitions, something went terribly wrong.

The prizes, as always, were going to be given personally by the education minister, currently minister Wert. From the hundred winners, more than ten refused to shake hands with him, snatching their certificate and leaving the stage.

These kinds of situations makes one think the gravity of Wert's educational plan, as these young adults are surely intelligent enough to build well-cemented opinions on the matter. And (furthermore) some months ago, not one of the Spanish university deans appeared to a meeting Wert was holding. If such highly regarded professionals believe that the educational plan is wicked, how could I possibly think otherwise!

And this is exactly what should never be done.

 This type of argumentation is completely erroneous, as social behaviour obviously cannot and will never be an empirical source of evidence. Believing that, if virtuous people believe in something that must be correct is not a way of reasoning, as it would be obtaining data from not only a human and subjective mind, but from their own stand, many times strongly biased to stress their points.

Wert's educational plan has many strong points and many weak ones. On the plus side, his plan focuses on promoting a more selective type of education, for instance deleting 4rth ESO and substituting it for two options: introduction to bachillerato or to FP studies. Moreover, to avoid certain centres from passing students who are really unable to complete their Bachillerato, there will be an official exam that students will take and evaluated by external examiners.

Nonetheless, Wert's plan does not seem to contemplate individuality and talent, as the ministry will rigidly lay syllabus contents. Besides, the plan features many controversial subjects, such as religion as an official subject where students will chose between it and ethics.

Despite initially being against Wert's educational plan and probably still being, Spain's rate of people with Bachillerato or FPs is strikingly low: 22%, half as much as in the Eurozone. Obviously, a change is needed, and Wert's plan seems to propose a good draft. When people protest against politics, sometimes they lose the real purpose of raising one's voice to propose a change, which is the way to dialogue. Screaming empty words and a cocky attitude does not.