Summary:
This policy seeks to replace the current standardized public school system with flexible, learner-centered and community organized “Learning Webs” as envisioned by Ivan Illich in Deschooling Society. These Learning Webs would provide students with access to resources, mentors, and peer networks, fostering a more self-directed and meaningful learning experience. Key elements from John Taylor Gatto’s work on experiential learning would also be integrated.
Key Points:
- Learning Resources (Things):
Schools will serve as community centers where students can access tools, materials, technology, and spaces to explore their interests. This includes physical objects and digital resources needed to engage in self-guided projects. - Mentorship Programs (Models):
Connect students with professionals, artists, scientists, and other experts who can act as mentors. These mentors provide real-world guidance, aligning education with personal and career goals through direct experience, not theoretical instruction alone. - Peer Collaboration (Peers):
Students learn from and with each other, collaborating on projects and shared interests across age groups and skill levels. Schools will foster community-building and collaboration rather than competition. - Community and Elders (Elders):
Elders and community members serve as guides, offering wisdom, life experience, and practical advice. This intergenerational learning fosters a sense of belonging and teaches values beyond the classroom.
Why This Policy Matters:
- Personalized Learning:
Every student learns at their own pace, following their curiosity and passions rather than a rigid curriculum. - Real-World Experience:
Students engage with the community and learn by doing, applying knowledge in real-world contexts, preparing them for life beyond school. - Fosters Lifelong Learning:
Education becomes a lifelong pursuit, where learners of all ages continue to engage with peers and mentors throughout their lives, fostering continuous growth and development.
Supportive Elements from John Taylor Gatto:
- Decentralization:
Move away from a top-down approach in education. Each community manages its own Learning Web based on local needs, interests, and expertise, encouraging innovation and reducing bureaucratic restrictions. - Focus on Entrepreneurship:
Encourage entrepreneurial thinking by allowing students to explore projects and ideas that have real-world applications, promoting independence and self-reliance.
Conclusion: This policy envisions a future where public education is no longer confined to classrooms and rigid schedules. Instead, it becomes a network of resources and relationships, fostering creativity, collaboration, and real-world learning, creating lifelong learners ready to thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing world.