On geography and the organisation of education

Geographical education is beset with problems, of which the main symptoms are self-perpetuation, inbreeding, mimicry, parochialism and political strength. These symptoms relate to the fact that what geographers research and teach is often partial,in its emphasis on conventional geographical wisdom, irrelevant in its removal from the real world, and uncoordinated. The solution lies in first defining the nature and purpose of geographical education, then reorganis -ing the subject, both in school and tertiary education. In the latter the result would be fewer courses based on conventional geographical skills, but more where the subject would provide a sound educational framework for citizenship, and sometimes introduce more vocational training.