If a child (young person) is not free to question, to explore and to think for themselves, then what we call education becomes nothing more than a form of conditioning.
When learning is driven by fear, obedience, or pressure, whether from parents, teachers, or society the mind begins to shrink.
Real intelligence can only blossom in an atmosphere of freedom, where there is space to make mistakes, to wonder, and to be curious.
True education is not about conformity or memorization, it is about awakening the mind and heart.
And this awakening cannot happen where there is compulsion, comparison, or punishment.
To educate is to set the mind free, not to mould it into a shape.
Freedom and intelligence are not the result of pressure, they grow in silence, in trust, and in love. Only then does learning become a living, joyful process, not a burden.“ (Krishnamurti, indian philosopher)
Uplift – Inspire – Empower
Modern learning should be possible without “coercion” – “Our goal should not be the development of teaching methods, but the abolition of teaching altogether.” Stefan Ruppaner (Das könnte Schule machen – That could school make)
Read more… Das könnte Schule machen
Learning happens everywhere – „At home, on the beach, or on the top of the highest mountain. Where do you want to learn? There is fertile ground to learn anytime, anywhere…” Off-campus-program (clonlara.org)
Travel broadens the mind, and this should be made possible especially for families, not hindered by mandatory holidays!
Sustainability – no unnecessary accumulation of materials – avoid overwhelming with material overload – instead, focus on targeted creative inspiration.
Respect different sleep patterns – flextime should also be possible for young people!
Nonviolent Communication – Communication on Equal Eye Level
Nonviolent education – § 1631 Section of the German Civil Code (BGB) – guiding young people respectfully, without physical punishment, emotional abuse, or intimidation.
How can this be reconciled with the current compulsory education laws?
Uplift – Inspire – Empower
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must be respected – and finally implemented!
Article 12 … that the child’s views are heard and given due weight.
Article 19 … to protect the young person (the child) from all forms of physical or mental violence, harm, or abuse…
What if the current compulsory schooling system, with its mandatory attendance at school buildings, completely contradicts the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?
Article 29 defines the goals of education. It states that education should fully develop the personality, talents, and intellectual and physical abilities of the young people (the child), instill respect for human rights, parents, and the environment, and prepare them for a responsible life in a free society.
How does this align with the current compulsory schooling system? How are young People supposed to develop freely and responsibly when they are quickly made aware that school is about conformity, obedience, and a sense of duty?
And young people express statements like this: “The best thing for life is freedom. Compulsory schooling ruins everything life has to offer. School is an invisible prison where you’re tortured inside, which is very cruel.” (Leon, 8 years old) – and they aren’t taken seriously!
How can it be that young people are expected to have entrepreneurial spirit, independence, flexibility, and personality, yet these qualities are not fostered in any way by most curricula?
„Communicating an equal footing and without prejudice requires good training and a degree of social empathy. Learning to tolerate disagreement without taking offense, admitting mistakes, coping with defeats, acknowledging uncertainties, taking risks independently, motivating and supporting others, etc., are not qualities that are particular well-developed in conventional school lessons.” Richard David Precht (Freiheit für alle – Freedom for All)
Read more… Freiheit für alle – Freedom for All
The future however, will demand that our young people think outside the box.
„Not learning for a grade, not learning for an exam, but learning for the sheer love of knowlege itself.” (From Homeschool to Harvard – The Havard Crimson)
How can it be, then, that we are stuck in outdated conventions and belief systems, or even worse, clinging to phrases like, “It didn’t do us any harm?
Wouldn’t it be important to resolve intergenerational trauma?
Read more… Releasing Our Burdens
Why not broaden our horizons and draw inspiration from other countries, finally recognizing education as an emerging, constantly evolving process. (Finland – curioctopus.de) To embrace and implement change more quickly.
Read more … Der Tanzende Direktor, Neuseeland – The Dancing Director, New Zealand
Generation
Podcasts
Young Voices
How about self-directed education?
