Education

 

A few words about education.

Once, a long time ago, when I was still attending high school, I wrote an essay entitled "Radio Maryja - the mouth of Satan". I got a good grade for the essay, but what was most important to me at that moment - I had the opportunity to express my critical view.

The time I spent at school I remembered as average. Not very bad, but not great either. Perhaps the sociological function turned out to be more important than the educational function. I met many interesting and valuable people with whom I am still in touch today.

On my way I met some very interesting teachers. The ones that are listened to with interest. Those who impart knowledge in a way that makes you hungry for that knowledge and want more. Those who created the foundations for shaping my criticism of the surrounding world. I remember three: prof. Pikulska-Brembor, prof. Małecka and priest (!) Piotr Gabryś.

From today's perspective, I can see how important it is for the education of a young person to find this diamond in him, which is hidden somewhere deep. When you meet a real teacher on your way who can spark a spark of curiosity with his passion, it may turn out that this spark will ignite a flame that will light the way. Perhaps also (and it seems to me that this is happening more and more often) that the education system will put out the flame before it can ignite.

I don't remember any formulas from my educational history. I remember the conversations. Interesting conversations are most memorable. Interesting discussions even more. 

I have the impression that the school is currently built of templates. Young people are even forced to fit these templates to produce a citizen in this way.

I don't like the word "Program" when it comes to education. It reminds me too much of programming. 

I don't like the influence of power on "Program". Authorities change over time. Therefore, the interpretations of what is accepted as binding are changing (probably most in the humanities, because it would be rather difficult to change the exact sciences). Power doesn't like criticism. 

Unfortunately, without a critical approach, there is no development. If we want to stop developing, such an approach would be ok. I think, however, that development is a natural process and it cannot be stopped, although it is not known how we would enchant reality.

The subject of today's post is even closer to me because here are two of my sons attending school. As I have written before, I have always valued critical appraisals on various topics. I also try to raise my sons. It is true that Piotr is not yet at the stage of critical discussions, but Olivier is. And while from the parent's point of view it is sometimes a painful experience, in the depths of my consciousness I know that each critical look supported by arguments and each of our disputes builds a young man who will not accept the world indiscriminately.

I know there is a hidden diamond in the rough somewhere deep in every child. The role of adults is to help the child find this diamond in himself and let it shine with the brightest light. Nobody is the same, so the templates will fail, no matter how thoughtful they are. A child who performs great in sports will not necessarily be good at science. A child whose sensitivity is so great that he can cry over a poem does not have to rave about mathematical theories at the same time. We are all different. That doesn't mean we have to "average".

One of my favorite quotes about education is what Albert Einstein said, "Everyone is a genius, but if you start judging a fish by its ability to climb trees, it will think it's stupid all its life."

Today I know how important it is to ask "why" in relation to even matters that are taken for granted.

I dream of a school that will stimulate children to ask questions. For investigation. I dream of a school that will be able to face children's curiosity. I dream of an education system in which teachers will be able to fulfill their role with joy and they will be able to determine how to pass knowledge to the youngest without imposed "programs". I dream about the authority that will understand that finding this diamond in a child is the most important task in education, because one day this diamond may bring shine to the society in which it lives. Creative disobedience will bring more benefits than passive obedience.