John Dewey and Village Institutes

Many people might not have heard of John Dewey. This is quite normal, for he was neither a politician, an athlete, nor an artist. Dewey was a philosopher who lived between 1859 and 1952, and is often hailed as one of the greatest philosophers of the first half of the 20th century. His contributions as an educator are as significant as his philosophical insights. This essay will explore this aspect of Dewey.

Born on October 20, 1859, John Dewey challenged the prevailing views of his time and offered intriguing ideas on education. His fundamental belief was this: In a democratic education system, schools should provide equality of opportunity and resources without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or economic status. Education, therefore, must be democratic.

Dewey’s views on education can be summarized as follows: The school is a social institution; it is a microcosm of society. Schools are the guarantors of society’s future. They should facilitate and promote the practice of democracy. Learning should be achieved through doing and experiencing. Schools must be vibrant and exciting places. Children should experience the same enthusiasm and engagement at school as they do at home or in their playgrounds. Educational institutions should be places where individuals learn knowledge applicable to real life. The goal of education is the holistic development of the child. The educational process should take into account the child’s interests and be built around them. Teachers should act as guides working alongside students…