School like a factory – how we’re trained and formatted to be submissive slaves of the system

Where do you think, did all those 45 minutes lessons came from, one longer break during all day to have a meal and desks set in neat rows?

Or a bell?

This system used to be perfect to work in production lines and that was the time when it appeared in our schools for good.

School like a factory in the era of industrialization

It was mainly about the production of human robots, formatted for submissive and effective work in factories at production lines.

What else was transferred from factories to schools?

Beside mentioned rows of desks set just as did long lines of conveyor belts in factories and bells announcing break, it is also the factories where narrow production specializations originates (that is, separate, specific subjects, instead of a holistic approach combining facts which allows for creative interpretations).

This also involves educating children by giving them to swot further parts of the material (treated separately, in isolation, which they will never return to after passing a test) and teaching them only in their age groups.

Why?

Where did the concept of age – as the most important feature – came from?

It seems like the most important factor which defines children is the date of their production.

School exterminates diversity

And yet children of the same age differ immeasurably among each other. Also in the level of knowledge and skills related to individual areas.

Or efficiency depending on a day time.

Or in cooperation skills in big and small groups or on the contrary – only individually.

Of course, the whole system has been designed for usage and needs of the “human production lines”.

It is truly fascinating that almost everything has changed, apart from systemic institutions, such as church or the educational system.

There are already kind of changes going on within it, but … still not enough to deeply reform the whole thing.

Contemporary school means sitting in rows and stuffing kids heads with all unnecessary information, using the method of “swot, pass and forget”.

Contemporary school is still an education program identical for everyone, not taking into account the individual predispositions or talents of each kid.

School at the dock

“I accuse the school of killing creativity, individuality and intellectual abuse,” says the host from the video at the beginning of this article.

His voice is one of many – people intuitively feel, that education of our children must undergo a radical change.

What is happening now is simply old and doesn’t keep up with the energetic, spiritual and technological changes on Earth.

So… What’s the school for?

Until recently, it was believed that good results at school will allow students to get to university, which guarantees a well-paid job and, in other words, safe and good life.

Contemporary economics (or rather its constant turbulences) show that this way of thinking is completely INVALID.

What’s more, the modern world clearly shows our children, that high average grade doesn’t go with professional and financial successes. The Internet offers ways to earn a living that are completely abstract  for the older generation: blogs, coding, e-sports, cryptocurrencies, social media … – just to name a few of them…

These professions did not exist 15 years ago…

Current children will soon be doing professions that do not exist yet, using technology that hasn’t been invented yet to solve problems that aren’t here yet…

Production line vs school for people

Fortunately, there are other education systems: Montessori, home teaching, democratic schools (more and more of them in Poland), Khan Academy and other online platforms that help to acquire the necessary (?) skills in more suited way for the modern world and available technology.

We have successes at this field – e.g. the No Bell school from Konstancin-Jeziorna won the international competition Edumission for an innovative school with an unconventional approach, where there are no textbooks, no grades, and younger children study with older ones.

Light Poland- we’re helping to leave the old paradigm

School – it’s about time to re-invent it

It is worth to ask yourself: what do we need the school for?

Preparing people to live in a speeding up, 21st century world cannot rely only on the usage of technology and understanding of modern economics.

It is more about learning things like: creativity, awareness of cultural belonging, problem solving, innovation, civil engagement in one’s community, communication, productivity, cooperation, responsibility, research and discovery, initiative and leadership.

But it still does not exhaust the topic. The amazing list of possible future subjects can also be found in a book “Conversations with God” (author: N.D. Walsch)

They are – to name a few:

• Understanding of power (authority)

• Peaceful resolution of conflicts

• Emotional relationships and their components

• Personality and self-realization

• Body – Mind – Spirit – principles of operation

• Developing creativity

• Self-satisfaction and respect for others

• Joyful sexual expression

• Tolerance

• Differences and similarities

• Ethical economy

• Creative consciousness and the power of the mind

• Honesty and responsibility

• Openness and transparency

• Science and spirituality

The difference between the school of the 20th and 21st centuries?

There are many examples on the internet that explain it quite clearly (e.g. 2).

So what are the differences between 20th century school and the school of 21st?

Let’s compare:

• The school of 20th century “loads to the stove” – ​​The school of the 21st century fires up and fuels the fire

• Repeats the same stories – It is based on independent discoveries

• Transfers information – Teaches independent learning

• Focused on time – Focused on the result

• Makes you remember separate things – Puts emphasis on combining a variety of information

• Loves textbooks – Loves research, searching and exploration

• Puts focus on passive learning – Active learning

• Evaluates individual work – Focus on creative cooperation

• Loves authorities – Invites facilitators

• The students swot (or not) for grades – Students learn to use their knowledge in the real world

• Zero freedom for a student – A lot of freedom for a student

• Full of problems related to maintaining discipline – It’s not about discipline at all (but about freedom, motivation, passion)

• Separate subjects – Integrated thematic areas

• Average expectations – High expectations

• Teacher is a judge – Teacher is a support and guide

Eductaion… still the same boring, oppresive misery as it was 100-200 years ago

20th century school is more and more inadequate and senseless for current children.

In the school of the 21st century, the program is tailored to their needs, talents and interests.

Since we know what’s going on, now we have to “only” implement it.

Oh my god!

Fortunately, there are more and more of these new schools in Poland, because I really wouldn’t like to send my child to the kind of institution where I held tedious, completely unnecessary education, which I remember NOTHING …. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING of…..

Aho <3

Author: RA

Translation: Weronika (thank you so much!)

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