Many educational institutions insist that graders use what is refered to as a bell curve. The bell curve refers to the tendency for populations to be arranged with the majority of people performing in a manner referred to as average, with a few performing very well and a few performing very badly. This bell curve is seen in widely different populations and it appears when examining many different characteristics.

When we teach according to a bell curve, then it is appropriate to ask what difference it makes whether there is a teacher in the classroom or not. If the students are simply told what work to do, and what material will be covered on the exam, then what more is the need for a teacher? When the results come out, the bell curve will be satisfied.

Some people say that the teacher offers some enthusiasm and guidance and corrections to the students. However, this is certainly not necessarily the case. Most of us who have spent time with teachers can offer exceptions.

The statistical proof of the bell curve is convincing evidence that a bell curve system of education does not require a teacher. A student will require at least one source of the information that will be tested for on the exams, but this source need not be a teacher who stands at the front of a classroom. The student will also need some motivation for learning, but the motivation need not come from the teacher. Furthermore, the usual motivation offered by a teacher is fear. It is indeed a sad commentary on the education systems available in the world today that the overwhelmingly common means of motivation used is fear.

Since we use fear to motivate our students, therefore we are failures as human beings. We are contributing to the downfall of civilization rather than the development of it.

What can we do about this sad state of affairs?

We can start practicing an alternative system of education.