Since I started this blog, in June 2014, I have stated, probably over-stated, my case against school as we know it. Change does happen slowly, but at the moment the system is heading speedily in the wrong direction.
I have repeated myself too many times, and as such, I have decided to give the blog a rest for a while. I would rather add a post when I feel inspired to do so, rather than adding a post 'religiously' every Sunday.
I could extend the scope of my blog, which I may well do and soon. Any feedback about this would be welcome.
In the meantime, for all those interested in real education, I recommend that you read the following:
Ivan Illich, John Holt, Bruno Bettelheim, Bertrand Russell, Homer Lane, A.S.Neill, Sir Kenneth Robinson, and John Taylor Gatto. These wise minds have been largely ignored by governments and cultures around the world. So what's new? Whenever have great minds been heeded and acted upon by history? All too rarely.
Sunday 15 November 2015
Sunday 8 November 2015
After last week's post , I was confronted with the usual, and understandable, challenge to John Gatto's plea to abolish all schools:
"But that would mean chaos!"
Gatto doesn't believe that there wouldn't be chaos, for a while, but unlike the majority, he doesn't have the 'original sin' view of humanity. As he put it:
"Let them manage themselves".
History has shown us that, whether in politics, religion, or education, most people believe that we are incapable of behaving in a good, positive way unless we are told what to do - by a tiny minority, who claim to have all the answers. Unless we are guided and commanded by our 'leaders', we would be lost souls. So goes the evil concept of 'original sin', the biggest con trick in human history. I say 'evil', because of the immense damage such a view can inflict.
In the film 'Life of Brian', the character of Brian sums up the mistake of being led when he says to the crowd:
"You don't need to follow me. You don't need to follow anybody!".
Although large numbers of people still consider the film immoral, Brian's statement of reality is deeply moral, and at the heart of the story.
The same applies to school. Most believe that the only place we can learn is in school, and be taught only by professional teachers. Well, most learning takes place outside the classroom, and every single person in the world is a teacher - of whatever skills and knowledge they possess.
"But that would mean chaos!"
Gatto doesn't believe that there wouldn't be chaos, for a while, but unlike the majority, he doesn't have the 'original sin' view of humanity. As he put it:
"Let them manage themselves".
History has shown us that, whether in politics, religion, or education, most people believe that we are incapable of behaving in a good, positive way unless we are told what to do - by a tiny minority, who claim to have all the answers. Unless we are guided and commanded by our 'leaders', we would be lost souls. So goes the evil concept of 'original sin', the biggest con trick in human history. I say 'evil', because of the immense damage such a view can inflict.
In the film 'Life of Brian', the character of Brian sums up the mistake of being led when he says to the crowd:
"You don't need to follow me. You don't need to follow anybody!".
Although large numbers of people still consider the film immoral, Brian's statement of reality is deeply moral, and at the heart of the story.
The same applies to school. Most believe that the only place we can learn is in school, and be taught only by professional teachers. Well, most learning takes place outside the classroom, and every single person in the world is a teacher - of whatever skills and knowledge they possess.
Sunday 1 November 2015
Today I wish to continue broadcasting John Gatto and his views on education, and the best way to do this is to quote 3 of his most insightful observations:
"Children learn what they live. Put kids in a class and they will live out their lives in an invisible cage, isolated from their chance at community; interrupt kids with bells and horns all the time and they will learn that nothing is important or worth finishing; ridicule them and they will retreat from human association; shame them and they will find a hundred ways to get even. The habits taught in large-scale organizations are deadly."
"I've concluded that genius is as common as dirt. We suppress genius because we haven't yet figured out how to manage a population of educated men and women. The solution, I think, is simple and glorious. Let them manage themselves."
"I don't think we'll get rid of schools any time soon, certainly not in my lifetime, but if we're going to change what's rapidly becoming a disaster of ignorance, we need to realize that the institution 'schools' very well, but it does not 'educate'; that's inherent in the design of the thing. It's not the fault of bad teachers or too little money spent. It's just impossible for education and schooling to be the same thing."
"Children learn what they live. Put kids in a class and they will live out their lives in an invisible cage, isolated from their chance at community; interrupt kids with bells and horns all the time and they will learn that nothing is important or worth finishing; ridicule them and they will retreat from human association; shame them and they will find a hundred ways to get even. The habits taught in large-scale organizations are deadly."
"I've concluded that genius is as common as dirt. We suppress genius because we haven't yet figured out how to manage a population of educated men and women. The solution, I think, is simple and glorious. Let them manage themselves."
"I don't think we'll get rid of schools any time soon, certainly not in my lifetime, but if we're going to change what's rapidly becoming a disaster of ignorance, we need to realize that the institution 'schools' very well, but it does not 'educate'; that's inherent in the design of the thing. It's not the fault of bad teachers or too little money spent. It's just impossible for education and schooling to be the same thing."
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