Serving People vs. Serving Policy: A Call for Human-Centered Policies
In the world of education and beyond, there are two types of people: those who serve people and those who serve policy. Policies are ostensibly created to serve people, but do they always achieve this? The intention behind policy is often noble, but rigid adherence to policy can sometimes lead to losing sight of the very people it was designed to help.
Similarly, there are two types of organizations: those that write policy to benefit people and those that write policy to protect the organization. While balance is necessary, policies that prioritize organizational interests over human needs can become barriers rather than supports.
Policies are social constructs, created by individuals or groups with their own biases. If there's no room to re-evaluate and adjust policies when they fail to serve people effectively, their purpose becomes questionable, serving only the organization instead.
How often do we find ourselves saying, “My hands are tied due to policy”? Shouldn't we instead be asking, “What’s wrong with the policy?”
It’s easy to convince ourselves that we’re serving people when we’re actually serving a policy. This disconnect is profoundly disheartening.
As an educator and advocate for Open Educational Resources (OER), I find myself deeply grappling with these issues. I’m currently facing significant barriers, living the very challenges I strive to overcome. Navigating through personal and professional obstacles, I see firsthand how policies can sometimes hinder rather than help.
My journey is not just about questioning policies but actively working to break through these barriers. It’s about advocating for more flexible, compassionate policies that truly serve people. This struggle is real, and it’s a journey I’m committed to, despite the challenges.
As educators and advocates for OER, we must strive to create and uphold policies that truly serve our students and communities. Let’s challenge ourselves and our institutions to ensure that our policies reflect our commitment to humanizing education. This means being willing to revisit and revise policies that do not serve their intended purpose and advocating for change when necessary.
By prioritizing people over rigid policies, we can create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment where everyone can thrive. Let’s continue to question, challenge, and improve the policies that guide our work, always with the goal of better serving our students and communities.
In this article, "we" and "us" refer collectively to myself, individuals engaged in work related to Open Educational Resources (OER) or Open Pedagogy, and subscribers who have chosen to engage with this content. Our shared commitment to humanize the world unites us in this discourse.
It is important to note that the thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and contributors. They do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of our respective employers. The perspectives provided are based on personal experiences and professional insights.