Makarenko: the jewel of education

 photo by axinia

If you have been visiting my blog for some time, you might have noticed that I am interested in various topics like spirituality, beauty, linguistics, politics, culture, business and poetry. But one of my biggest passions was still hidden from the all perwading Internet power: pedagogics.

Educating and actually upbringing the children seem to be one of the most important human activities, although little respected in many societies. I dream one day to dedicate my life fully to that fascinating and absolutely wonderful task.

Since my studies and early work experience I was keen on pedagogy in theory and practice. I studied the main schools and educational traditions and was able to try something out. And now I want to share with you the system that I like the most, the system that seem to me the most suitable for the generations to come.

My absolute favorite (unfortunately not widely known) is Makarekno School.

A major figure in the development of Soviet education, Makarenko (1888-1939) was especially influential in fighting for integrating democratic principles into education theory and practice. His numerous books, including his work, The Road to Life (An Epic of Education), the first volume being an absorbing chronicle of his years as director of the Gorky Colony for juvenile delinquents in the Ukraine in the 1920s.

What I relally love about Makarenko´s concept, is that in his work with homeless orphans and delinquents after the Russian Revolution, he encouraged children to take responsibility not just for themselves but, more importantly, for the good of the community as a whole.

As a theoretician, he rejected both anarchistic “free education” and biological determinist theories, instead building a system of “pedagogical logic”. Educational goals should change with society, be humanistic, and stress the power and creativity of the collective, according to Makarenko. He also felt strongly about the importance of the home learning environment.

One more fascinating aspect for me is that Makarenko was able to “translate” his experiences into captivating fictionalised books, an easy read for children and adults.

The feeling that I get from many modern educational systems is that they are too individualistic. They do enhance personal talents and capabilities, at the same time putting “the self” (meaning the ego) on the pedestal.

But the new time is coming, people are coming more closer together and they need some new collaboration and communication skills, some new approach to each other. And that is what Makarenko`s system is about. May be one day I will develop my own system, based on his one… Lets see… My passion for it is there!

LOVE, axinia