Education II--the Social Imperative.

Overview & Synopsis

If the experiences of the nineteen sixties have proved anything about formal education they have forcibly indicated that the present system of education has become obsolete. For Mankind II we must create Education II; an education based on new assumptions, new goals, new programs and new attitudes on the part of both lay and professional participants. The first assumption we must change is that some children will inevitably fail. The educational profession usually provides only the facilities on a mass basis but does not make sure that each child is given the help and attention he needs. A second assumption that needs challenging and changing is that the schoolroom is the child's entire education. In reality it is the whole community that educates the child. A third assumption to be challenged is the archaic view that knowledge is the end of education, and that teaching is a scientific and technical endeavor. Finally, present assumptions regarding the administration and control of education must be re-examined in the light of the needs of Education II. If the individual children are to be free to learn, the teacher must be free to teach and the school must be free to perform its proper role in a community totally mobilized for education. Education II addresses itself to the urgency for a new education operating under new assumptions. (Author/JM)