You Don't Learn That in School
Louis Armstrong Lyrics

I wasn't taught how to get a job
I never learned the necessary skills to obtain employment

but I can remember dissecting a frog
Instead of career preparation, I was taught biology through hands-on dissection

I wasn't taught how to pay tax
I didn't receive practical financial education, including how to file taxes

but I know loads about Shakespeare's classics
Despite the lack of personal finance education, I was taught extensive knowledge of classic literature by Shakespeare

I was never taught how to vote they devoted that time to defining isotopes
Rather than civic education, I was exposed to advanced scientific concepts like nuclear isotopes

I wasn't taught how to look after my health
A major gap in my education was a lack of personal health and wellness education

but mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell
However, I did learn about the biological function of mitochondria in cells

Never spent a lesson on current events
I was never exposed to a comprehensive curriculum of contemporary news and events

instead I studied The Old American West
Instead of current events, I was taught a historical focus on the American West

I was never taught what laws there are.
Despite living in the country, I was never taught the legal system and its principles

Let me repeat - I was not taught the laws for the country I live in,
Emphasizing the importance of learning the laws, I repeat that I was never exposed to this key part of education

but I know how Henry the VIII killed his women.
Ironically, my education covered more details of historical events such as the grisly deeds of a monarch

Divorced beheaded died, divorced beheaded survived glad that's in my head instead of financial advice
Rather than practical skills, I was taught obscure historical facts such as the amount of marriages and deaths of a monarch

I was shown the wavelengths of different hues of light
While I was given a basic education of physics and light, it was only theoretical

but I was never taught my human rights
An important part of personal freedom and justice, I was never educated on specific human rights

Apparently there's 30, do you know them?
Highlighting the wide range and importance of human rights, there are 30 officially recognized rights

I don't Why the hell can't we both recite them by rote?!
Expressing frustration towards the education system, everyone should have a basic recitation of the essential human rights

I know igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
As part of the standard science curriculum, I learned about the different types of rocks

Yet I don't know squat about trading stocks
Despite learning about rocks, I didn't learn the practical financial skill of trading stocks

Or how money works at all - where does it come from?
The education system neglected to teach the fundamental aspects of money, such as its creation and distribution

Who controls it?
The system didn't provide insight into who holds the power over the creation, distribution, and management of money

How does the thing that motivates the world function?
Money serves as a powerful motivator, yet the education system failed to teach us about its function and impact

not taught how to budget and disburse my earnings I was too busy rehearsing cursive.
Even basic financial skills, such as budgeting and the management of earnings, were overlooked in favor of less practical skills like cursive handwriting

Didn't learn how much it costs to raise a kid or what an affidavit is
As part of my education, I was never taught the real costs of having a child or the legal significance of an affidavit

but I spent days on what the quadratic equation is
Ironically, much of my education was devoted to higher mathematics that have little practical application in everyday life

negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac over 2a That's insane, that's absolutely insane.
The complicated quadratic equation, which is rarely used outside of academic settings, showcases the unnecessary complexity of the education system

They made me learn that over basic first aid
The focus on complex mathematics took away valuable class time that could have been dedicated to more practical information such as basic first aid

How to recognise the most deadly Mental disorders
Mental illnesses carry serious and potentially fatal consequences, yet my education failed to provide insight into the warning signs of these conditions

// or diseases with preventable causes //
Highlighting the need for practical, proactive education, preventable diseases are an example of topics that should be covered

How to buy a house with a mortgage
The process of buying a house is a significant financial decision, yet I was never taught the intricacies of obtaining a mortgage

// if I could afford it
The financial barriers to homeownership should also be addressed in the education system

‘cause abstract maths was deemed more important than advice that would literally save thousands of lives
The overemphasis on abstract mathematics detracted from education with potential to save lives

but it's cool, ‘cause now I could tell you if the number of unnecessary deaths caused by that choice was prime.
Although the education system failed to provide practical life skills, the emphasis on math allowed for the understanding of prime numbers and big data

Never taught present day practical medicines,
The education system failed to provide insight into modern medicines and treatments

but I was told what the ancient hippocratic method is
Ironically, the education system taught ancient medical techniques rather than useful information about present-day practices

"I've got a headache, the pain is ceaseless what should I take?"
Despite this hypothetical medical scenario, I was never taught practical information on how to address everyday illnesses

umm... maybe try some leeches?
Instead of modern solutions, the ancient practice of using leeches was suggested as a potential treatment for headaches in this example

"Could we discuss domestic abuse and get the facts or how to help my depressed friend with their mental state?"
Valuable and practical discussions, such as domestic abuse and mental health, were not prioritized in my education

Ummm... no but learn mental maths because "you won't have a calculator with you every day!"
Despite the lack of practical health and social education, the focus was placed on mental math as a necessary skill for daily life

They say it's not the kids, the parents are the problem
Society often shifts responsibility to parents for their children's education rather than addressing systematic inadequacy

Then if you taught the kids to parent that's the problem solved then!
Teaching children practical parenting skills is part of a comprehensive education that would solve many societal problems

All this advice about using a condom but none for when you actually have a kid when you want one
While sex education often focuses on condom use as birth control, there is a lack of education on the costs and implications of having a child

I'm only fluent in this language, for serious?
The education system failed to provide well-rounded language education, leading to a lack of multilingualism and cultural intelligence

The rest of the world speaks two, do you think I'm an idiot?
Other cultures prioritize multilingualism as a key aspect of education, while the education system I experienced failed in this regard

They chose the solar over the political system
The education system emphasized obscure scientific details rather than practical education about the political system

So like a typical citizen now I don't know what I'm voting on which policies exist,
The education system failed to provide me with a basic understanding of the political system and governmental policies

or how to make them change mais oui, je parle un peu de Francais
The education system also failed to provide basic organizing and advocacy skills, despite the ability to speak a different language

So at 18, I was expected to elect a representative For a system I had never ever ever ever been presented with
The lack of political education left me unprepared to participate in the democratic process and elect a representative

But I won't take it
Expressing defiance towards the inadequate education system

I'll tell everyone my childhood was wasted
Sharing my experiences in the education system, highlighting its failures

I'll share it everywhere how I was "educated"
Spreading awareness of the education system's deficiencies and the crucial areas of education that need reform

And insist these pointless things #DontStayInSchool
Urging change in the education system to prioritize practical skills and insight over obscure and meaningless academic aspects