Get back to basics

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Margaret Van Ruth of Eudunda urged a return to core educational fundamentals, criticizing the growing emphasis on psychological and therapeutic approaches within schools. She argued that educators should focus on teaching essential skills rather than acting as therapists, highlighting the need to preserve education’s traditional role in developing learning abilities.

A letter to the editor from Margaret Van Ruth of Eudunda has called for a renewed focus on fundamental education, arguing against the increasing integration of psychological and therapeutic elements into the teaching process. Van Ruth expressed surprise that humanity has thrived for millennia without reliance on specialist psychological support within education, suggesting that the current trend assumes individuals cannot succeed without intervention.

She emphasized that educators should not be expected to serve as part-time therapists, just as therapists are not teachers. According to Van Ruth, education remains a vital profession dedicated to helping people develop their ability to learn and understand, rather than a means of social control.

Highlighting the etymology of the word ‘education’ from the Latin “educare,” meaning “to draw out,” she argued the focus should return to foundational skills, allowing students to acquire knowledge organically and build capacity independently.

Her remarks reflect concerns about the evolving role of education and its relationship with mental health supports, advocating for a clear distinction between the two fields and reinforcing the importance of core educational objectives.

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