waiting for "superman"

No, it's not another superhero movie, but you will still see a scene of George Reeves saving a bus load of school children. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, Waiting for "Superman" is a documentary talking about the state of public education in the United States.

If you think this movie has that An Inconvenient Truth-feel, it's natural 'cos Davis Guggenheim directed it too. Covering the whole of education system from pupils to parents to teachers to Mr President, I think it is equally apt to title this movie "An Inconvenient Truth". Education is a pillar of every country, so there is no running away from it.

While the story is based on the American context, local viewers will find many scenes all too familiar. The crew followed a few families who were balloting for places in good schools for their kids (think the Singaporean parents queueing for primary school places). The touching scenes of girl not allowed to attend graduation because her mother could not pay up the school fee; the hardworking girl who aspires to be a veterinarian but couldn't get a place in a good school; etc etc.

One step further, the movie brings up the relationship between society and school. Is it the screwed-up neighbourhood that screws the school up, or the screwed-up school that screws the neighbourhood up? How education spending has increased over the years but not the students' grades; then the thing about chartered school (something like our independent schools) vs public school; the bad teachers who read newspaper in class (no, not the News-in-class programme during English Language) and can't be fired.

As a former guy in the Education Service, I find the movie really strikes a chord. Some of us really wanted to make a positive change in the kids, but the bigger climate just does not permit us to do so.

While waiting for superman for our system, you may consider watching this movie.