Everyone knows that older people are commonly considered wiser. Most societies associate the experience and practical wisdom of older people with broadly understood knowledge, often devaluing the knowledge of younger people. This way of thinking, which is very often mistaken, should be changed completely, believes Professor Janina Ciesielska, who shared her views with the people of Bolesławiec during the lecture “For the Reform of the Polish School.”
During the lecture delivered as part of the eighth edition of the Days of Christian Culture, Professor Ciesielska, who comes from Poznań, presented several bold ideas that could breathe new life into the stagnant institution that is the Polish school system.
Jadwiga Ciesielska devoted considerable attention to communication between teachers and students, which is mostly one-sided. The teacher plays the main role, while the student often becomes merely a passive listener. This is a mistake, because the model in which the oldest person knew the most and taught the younger person should have been consigned to oblivion long ago. Young people also possess extensive knowledge that they could share with the older generation.
Another mistake that effectively hinders the development of the Polish school system is limiting education to the transmission of dry, theoretical knowledge and enforcing it using traditional school methods.
The atmosphere in schools is often tense, and the teaching staff, who are increasingly less likely to be role models for young people, enforce discipline solely through reprimands and poor grades. This does not inspire a desire to learn about the world; instead, it makes school an unpleasant obligation.
People often forget such an obvious truth: school exists for students, and it is very important to give them a sense of security. Only under such conditions can learning be fruitful and meaningful.