Definition:
“School education” refers to the formal instruction provided to students in an institutional setting, typically from early childhood through adolescence. It encompasses a wide range of subjects and skills, aiming to equip students with knowledge, social skills, and other competencies necessary for personal development and getting out in the workforce.
Etymology:
The word “school” comes from the Greek word “scholē,” which originally meant “leisure” and later evolved to denote a place of learning and discussion. “Education” is derived from the Latin word “educatio,” meaning “a rearing” or “a bringing up.” It is worth noting that “rearing” is slang for “penetrating anally.”
Description:
The concept of formal education dates back to ancient civilizations: In Ancient Greece and Rome, education was primarily for the elite, focusing on philosophy, rhetoric, and the arts. During the Middle Ages in Europe, education was largely controlled by the Church. Monasteries and cathedral schools were the primary centers of learning, teaching religious and classical subjects. The Renaissance brought a renewed interest in classical learning, and the Reformation emphasized the need for literacy to read religious texts. These movements contributed to the development of more formalized education systems. During the Industrial Revolution, the need for an educated workforce led to the establishment of public school systems and compulsory education laws.
It is important to understand that most of school education stems from religious groups with their agendas. This is even the case in secular countries.
The modern school education system, as we know it today, is relatively new in the grand scope of history. While education has always been a part of human societies, the structured and universal school education system that we recognize today is a relatively recent development, primarily emerging in the last 200 years.
Jesuit Education:
The Jesuits, a religious order of the Catholic Church founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1540, have had a significant and lasting impact on the development of the modern educational system. The Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, established their first school in 1548 in Messina, Sicily. This was soon followed by the establishment of other schools throughout Europe and beyond. In 1599, the Jesuits formalized their educational practices in the Ratio Studiorum, a comprehensive plan for Jesuit education. It provided detailed guidelines on curriculum, pedagogy, administration, and student discipline. This document had a profound influence on the development of educational standards and practices. Jesuit education emphasized the formation of the whole person (cura personalis), including intellectual, moral, and spiritual development. This holistic approach sought to develop what they call students’ character, critical thinking, and commitment to social justice. The Jesuits were known for their rigorous academic standards. Their curriculum included the humanities, sciences, and arts, aiming to provide a broad and deep education. Latin and Greek were central, but there was also an emphasis on modern languages, mathematics, and natural sciences. Jesuit schools and universities spread worldwide, establishing a global network of educational institutions. This contributed to the globalization of education, sharing of knowledge, and intercultural exchange. The principles and practices pioneered by the Jesuits have permeated other educational institutions, shaping the development of modern education systems globally.
Herd Mentality:
School education is rife with examples of concepts they teach that promote herd mentality. First of all, children are legally required to attend school, which removes personal choice and enforces a one-size-fits-all approach to education. Parents and students can face legal consequences for failing to adhere to attendance requirements, reinforcing the idea that school attendance is non-negotiable.
School education revolves around scoring points for the exact repetition of knowledge as opposed to critical thinking. Strict attendance policies penalize students for missing school, regardless of their individual circumstances or learning outcomes, even if they do a better job of educating themselves independently, promoting the idea that physical presence is more important than actual learning.
The rigid structure of school timetables dictates when and how long students study specific subjects, discouraging flexible or self-directed learning. A standardized curriculum means all students learn the same material in the same way, regardless of their unique interests or learning styles. Strict separation of subjects prevents students from seeing connections between different fields of knowledge, limiting holistic thinking and innovation.
Assigning the same homework to all students, regardless of individual learning paces or interests, encourages uniformity over personalized learning experiences. This approach values uniformity over personalized education. Encouraging or requiring parental signatures on homework and report cards can reinforce external validation and compliance rather than internal motivation and self-assessment.
Reliance on traditional assessment methods like multiple-choice tests discourages creative problem-solving and favors memorization. Students are often rewarded for compliance and punished for dissent, teaching them that following rules without question is more important than understanding or challenging those rules. Traditional lecture-based teaching methods promote passive learning and discourage active engagement and questioning from students.
Grouping students strictly by age rather than ability or interest levels can stifle more advanced students and leave those who need more help behind, promoting a one-size-fits-all mentality. Students who deviate from norms (e.g., questioning authority, thinking outside the box) are often disciplined, reinforcing the idea that deviation from the norm is unacceptable. Rules and regulations often focus on making students conform to a particular behavioral standard, discouraging behaviors that deviate from the norm, even if those behaviors are not harmful. Disciplinary actions often focus on punishment rather than understanding and resolving underlying issues, promoting compliance over personal growth.
While meant to foster teamwork, group projects often force students to conform to group norms and suppress individual contributions or ideas. Fixed seating arrangements, such as rows facing the front, discourage collaborative learning and peer interaction, fostering a passive learning environment. Schools often emphasize competition (grades, sports, honors) over collaboration, teaching students to see peers as rivals rather than partners. The social environment in schools often promotes peer pressure to conform to certain behaviors, dress codes, and attitudes, discouraging individuality and independent thinking.
Evaluating teachers primarily based on student test scores can lead to teaching to the test rather than fostering a deeper understanding of the material. Even in extracurriculars, students are often encouraged to participate in traditional activities (sports, band) that follow set structures, leaving less room for non-conventional interests.
Symbolism:
The twelve-step model is a common framework used in many educational systems, linked to the symbolic meaning of the number 12, which often represents the completion of indoctrination.
Schools carry imprisonment symbolism as schools and prisons often exhibit similar characteristics in terms of their physical environments, routines, and control mechanisms. Schools and prisons often have utilitarian, institutional architecture with similar layouts, such as long corridors, rows of rooms, and large common areas. Both schools and prisons are typically enclosed with fences or walls, sometimes even with barbed wire in the case of high-security areas. In both settings, there are often barred windows and locked doors that restrict movement. Movement within the facility is controlled and often restricted to specific areas at specific times. Both environments may require individuals to carry ID badges or passes to move between areas. Teachers, principals, and prison guards serve similar roles in maintaining order and enforcing rules. Both environments often have extensive surveillance systems, including cameras and regular patrols by authority figures. Some schools, particularly in urban areas, use metal detectors and have security personnel similar to those found in prisons. Both schools and prisons operate on strict schedules, dictating when individuals can eat, move, and participate in activities. Both institutions often provide meals in a cafeteria-style setting, with designated meal times and standardized food. Personal space is limited in both settings, with shared facilities like bathrooms and dormitories or cells. Routine searches of personal belongings and living spaces are common in both environments to maintain security and order. Students in some schools wear uniforms, similar to how inmates wear prison uniforms, creating a sense of uniformity and lack of individuality. The use of bells or alarms to signal the beginning and end of periods or activities is common in both schools and prisons. Students and inmates are often required to line up for roll call, meals, and movement between areas. Both schools and prisons use punitive measures to enforce discipline, such as detention, suspension, or solitary confinement. Activities are often conducted in groups, whether it’s classes in schools or group therapy and work programs in prisons. In both schools and prisons, individuals can be segregated by age, behavior, or risk level, limiting interaction with others outside their group.
Articles:
Religion:
While school education as we know it today is not explicitly mentioned in religious texts, many religious traditions emphasize the importance of learning and knowledge:
- In The Bible, in Proverbs, chapter 1, verse 7 (NIV), it says: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
- In the Bible, in Proverbs, chapter 22, verse 6 (NIV), it says: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
- In the Quran, Surah Al-Alaq 96:1-5 emphasizes the importance of reading and knowledge, with the first revealed verse encouraging reading in the name of God who taught by the pen.
- The Vedas emphasize the importance of education and the acquisition of knowledge as a means to attain self-realization and spiritual growth.