Education should cultivate critical thinking, not just rote learning. Unfortunately, our system often neglects creativity.

Illustrating ideal educational qualities, a joke features Johnny, a first-grader disinterested in class. Claiming he’s too smart for first grade, Johnny suggests a mismatch due to his sister’s perceived inferior intelligence.

The concerned teacher takes Johnny to the principal, who decides on a test. Failure means a return to first grade for behavioral improvement. The story unfolds from there.

Johnny decided to take part in the test after being brought in and informed of its specifications.
“What is 3 + 3?” you ask the student.
Johnny: “6”
The teacher asked again, “How much is 6 x 6?”
Johnny: “36”
The student was tested on everything the principal thought a third-grader should know.
After glancing at the teacher, the principal declared, “I think Johnny can go to third grade.”
“Can I ask him a few questions?” the teacher asked.
“What does a cow have four of and I only have two?”
After a short pause, Johnny said, “Legs.”
“What do you have in your pants and I don’t?” continued the teacher.
The teacher’s eyes widened noticeably, but Johnny replied, “Pockets”.
“What does a dog do when a person steps on it?” continued the lecturer.
Johnny: “Pants”
“What has the letters F and K in it and means great excitement,” asked the teacher.
Johnny: “Fire truck.”
“Put Johnny in fifth grade,” the principal told the instructor, “I missed the last four questions myself.”