Republic of the PhilippinesWESTERN PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY

Puerto Princesa CampusPuerto Princesa City

Topic: Historical Foundations of EducationSubject: FEM 602Course Description: Foundation of EducationReporter: Gretchen M. GevelaProfessor: David R. Perez, Ph.DSemester: Summer 2014

Learning ObjectivesAt the end of the discussion, you are expected to:

a) Analyze the reasons for changes in school organizations and programs in the modern era in relation to historical events.

b) Trace the history of education from earliest times to Roman. c) Integrate education in the earliest period with the present trends of education.

Introduction

The beliefs and experiences of education today rest on the history of this field of endeavor. By knowing what accomplishments of leaders in the past, today’s educators attempt to build on their achievements.

Life among primitive or tribal people was very simple compared with the complex life that people have today. Their means of livelihood were hunting and gathering wild fruits and vegetables. There was no reading or writing and information was transmitted through word of mouth, songs, gestures, ceremonial, rites and the like.

Primitive Education

Aims of Education1. Security and survival2. Conformity3. Preservation and

transmission of traditions

Some characteristics of primitive culture Relatively simple Relatively narrow social and cultural contacts Extraordinary conservative and prone to

superstitions The organization of primitive life is tribal not

political so that one function of education is to enable one to live with his relatives

Absence from primitive cultures of reading and writing

Types of Education1. Vocational. This includes

learning the skills in procuring basic necessities of life like hunting, constructing a hut, etc.

2. Religious (animistic). Consisted in learning how to participate in ritualistic practices to please or to appease the unseen spirits roaming around.

Content to be Studied1. Ways of procuring the

basic necessities in life and of protecting life from dangers.

2. Superstitious. Included as how to worship before the dwelling of an unseen spirit such as big tree, a big rock, a river, etc.

Agencies of Education Home – there was no formal

agency for education, the family was the center for practical training.

Environment – it provides the primitive people a very good place of training.

Organization of Grades

There was none. There were no gradations in instruction; neither were there organized classes.

Methods of Instruction1. All instruction was done

informally.2. Observation and imitation.3. Simple telling and

demonstration.4. Participation.

Financing

There was no financing involved since there was no teacher to pay, no learning materials to buy and no school building to construct because education was strictly informal.

Effects Culture was passed on and

preserved for generation. Tribes were able to meet

their economic needs and were able to survive.

People were able to adjust and adapt to social and political life.

Outstanding Contribution to Education

The primitive man started the rudiments of education from which evolved the modern educational systems of today.

Egyptian EducationEgypt, the gift of the Nile, is

situated in the northern part of the African continent. Ancient Egypt was a desert country watered only by the Nile River which flooded the country from August to October, leaving behind a very rich black earth. The government of Egypt was autocratic, ruled by a king called Pharaoh who had absolute power.

Aims of Egyptian Education1. Training of Scribes2. Religious3. Utilitarian4. Preservation of cultural

patterns

Types of Education1. Religious Education2. Vocational- professional

education3. Military Education4. Public Administration 5. Priesthood Education6. Home Arts Education

Content to be Studied1. Reading, writing, and

language2. Religious and secular

literature3. Artistry in metals and lapidary4. Mathematics, especially

geometry and surveying, were studied due to the frequent inundations of their field which washed away the landmarks which had to be replaced.

Content to be Studied5. Subjects in astronomy, engineering, architecture, physics, medicine, embalming, dentistry, and law were taught in the temple schools by the priests.6. Music, dancing, playing the harp, cymbals, drum, lyre, guitar, tambourine, and clapping to rhythm.

Content to be Studied7. Sports, games, and physical education with swimming, wrestling, archery, and hunting and fishing taken as vocations and avocations.8 . The military schools offered training in the use of the bow and arrow, battle axe, lance, mace, and shield. Egypt became a military power in the ancient world from 1600 to 1400 B.C.

Agencies of Education1. Home2. Temple Schools 3. Military Schools 4. Court Schools 5. Vocational Schools

Organization of Grades1. The young studied at home with the mother as

teacher. 2. At the age of 5, the boys attended the reading and

writing schools under the priests if the parents could afford to pay the school fees.

3. At 17, the boys entered the schools that offered their vocations.

Methods of Instruction1. Apprenticeship2. Dictation, memorization,

copying, imitation and repetition

3. Observation and participation

FinancingThe pupils and students had to pay a certain amount of school fees even in the lower schools. Hence, education was not universal.

Outstanding Contribution to Education

The outstanding contributions of the early Egyptians to education were probably geometrical measurement and surveying.

Decline of Egyptian ProgressSome historians trace the cause of the refusal of

the priestly class to change the accepted rules and practices. The old prevented the young to learn further because of apprenticeship. They saw in knowledge only a means of practical achievement; they had love of knowledge for its own sake.

Greek EducationThe Greeks are a mixture of the

Aryan and Germanic people, two great races. But because of the presence of natural barriers such as mountain and bodies of water, they lived in tribal isolation and developed differences. They considered it as an honor to serve their country in any capacity. There were many Greek city-state but two of them rose above all others. These were Sparta and Athens.

Spartan Education

Sparta was in the south of Corinth in the southern section of the Peloponessian peninsula. Spartan education was based upon the laws of Lycurgus. It was the basis of Spartan political, social and educational system. This turned Sparta into a totalitarian soldier state. This system lasted for 700 years from the 9th to the 2nd century B.C. especially during the 5th century.

Aim of Education1. Military. To make every citizen

invincible in war, possessing physical perfection and complete obedience to the state.

2. Discipline. To develop conformity and obedience, courage strength, cunning, endurance and patriotic efficiency.

Types of Education1. Physical education2. Military education3. Moral training4. Very little intellectual

training5. Music education6. Gymnastic education7. Vocational education

Content to be Studied1. Intensive gymnastics and paramilitary exercises.2. Practice in moral and social habits for the state such as

controlling the appetite, modesty, obedience and respect and listening intently to elders, etc.

3. Reading and writing to a limited extent to understand the Lycurgus laws and some poems of Homer.

4. Music with serious, moral and martial rhythm to arouse patriotism.

5. Speech had to be laconic and terse.6. For girls, gymnastics to make them strong to bear strong

children.

Agencies of Education

The State was the sole agency of education. Every phase was controlled by the State.

Organization of Grade levels1. At birth, weak children were disposed of, abandoned, or

exposed to the elements.2. At early age, children were taught habits of silence,

obedience, respect and reverence towards elders, bravery, etc.

3. At the age 7-18, the boys lived in barracks-like educational building under the supervision of a state official.

4. At the age 18-20, the boys undertook professional war training; at 20 one who had demonstrated superior qualities of leadership and mind, remained in the barracks to help supervise the new entrants.

Organization of Grade levels5. At 20-30, all took an oath of allegiance and dispersed to military posts for war manoeuvres. 6. At 30, the man was full-fledge citizen, obliged or compelled to marry and took his seat in the assembly or council. 7. The girls stayed at home but they were also organized into packs to develop group spirits, courage and loyalty.

Methods of Instruction

1. Training2. Participation3. Testing4. Discipline5. Motivation

 Financing

All financing was shouldered by the State.

Outstanding Contribution to EducationThe most that we can emulate from the Spartans is military education as we have now in our schools and the development of patriotism and discipline.

Athenian EducationAncient Athens was the leading cultural center of

the Greek world. Many of the most gifted writers of Greece lived there. They wrote works of drama, history, lyric poetry and philosophy that have influenced literature up to the present time.

In many ways, the city was a birthplace of Western civilization. Education was supervised by the State although education was not compulsory. It was not clear, however, if the State maintained public schools.

Early Athenian EducationThe early Athenian Education was under the

influence of Solon, one of the greatest lawmakers of all time. He drew up a body of law that guided the Athens for several centuries and brought prosperity to the city-state. These laws also became the bases for the educational direction of Athens.

Aims of Education

1. Good citizenship2. Individual excellence3. Man-sided development

Types of Education1. Civic Training2. Moral Training3. Physical Education4. Intellectual Education5. Art

Content to be Studied

1. Reading by the alphabet method2. Writing on wax and tablets3. Arithmetic for market use4. Homeric and other poems5. Gymnastic exercises6. Physical education exercises7. Military training subjects

Agencies of Education1. Private schools. They were the first schools for boys.2. Home. The girls were taught at home by their mother

and slave nursemaids.3. State. It was not clear of the state maintained public

schools but education was supervised by State although education was not compulsory.

Organization of Grade Levels1. From birth to 7 years, children were taught at home.2. From 7 to 16 years old, the boys went to two schools

accompanied by slaves:a. Didascaleum –A music school that also taught

reading, writing, arithmetic and poetry.b. Palaestra – Gymnastics, sports and games were

taught in school.

3. At 16-18, the boys were already free from literary and musical studies but they continued to attend the Palaestra.4. At 18, the boys took the Ephebic Oath, a pledge of allegiance to the State and then spent two years in the military service. At 20, the boys attained full citizenship.

Organization of Grade Levels

Methods of Instruction1. Imitation. Imitation of a living model.2. Participation. There was participation in the learning

process and so learning was by doing. 3. Discipline. Corporal punishment was used

extensively.4. Human relations. There was no human relations

between the teacher and his pupils. The relationship between the teacher and his pupils was not cordial.

FinancingIt was not clear who financed education but since

the schools were private, it can be assumed that the pupils or students paid tuition fees.

The outstanding contributions of Athens to education are the three development of all human capacities and the Olympic Games.

Outstanding Contribution to Education

Later Athenian EducationAthens became an empire in 479 B.C. when Greeks

defeated the Persians at the Battle of Plataea. Athens, the head of the Delian Confederation, contributed largely to the victory. The triumph brought about attitudinal changes toward education among Athenians.

Aims of Education1. By the Sophist, pragmatic and utilitarian. 2. By Socrates, development of the power of thinking. 3. By Plato, control by individual rulers. 4. By Aristotle, rational living.

Types of Education1. Moral Training2. Professional Training3. Intellectual Training4. Vocational Training5. Domestic Training6. Physical, Military and Civic Training7. Science and Philosophy Education8. Aesthetic and Cultural Education9. Sports and Games

Content to be Studied1. Lower elementary level – reading, writing, arithmetic,

poetry and gymnastics.2. Higher elementary level – physical and military

exercises grammar, hretorics, declamation, argumentation and public speaking.

3. Secondary schools – geometry, astronomy, drawing, grammar and rhetorics.

4. Higher level – philosophy, mathematics and science.

Agencies of Education1. Palaestra. A school were gymnastics, sports and

games were taught.2. Didascaleum. This was supposed to be a music

school but actually it was a school of literature in which was taught poetry accompanied by music.

3. Gymnasium. At first, this was used for physical education but later it assumed a completely intellectual meaning which was academic secondary school.

Organization of Grade Levels1. Home Education2. Primary Education3. Secondary Education4. Higher Schools

Methods of Instruction1. Lecture and memorization2. Question and answer3. Developing the natural talents4. Achieving happiness

FinancingSince the schools

established were private schools and the teachers had to be paid, the pupils or students had to pay school fees.

Outstanding Contributions to Education and Humanity1. The Socratic Method of teaching as far as the method is

concerned.2. Another is in the realm of philosophy. The greatest world

philosophers came from Greece, among whom were Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others.

3. Another is in the field of mathematics. Euclidean geometry has been studied for 2 thousand years up to the present.

4. Arts and classical literature are also great contributions.

Roman EducationOriginally, the Italian peninsula was occupied by

Italians, Etruscans, and Greeks who settled in Sicily and the south. The Italian tribes were the Sabellians, the Umbrians and the Latins. Out of the mixture of these peoples emerged the strong energetic Romans. These peoples also develop city-states, and Latium, the city-states of Rome, became the most powerful. The romans judge things by their usefulness.

Aims of Education1. Utilitarian. Education was for practical purpose, to

produce men who would be active and efficient in daily life.

2. Moral. To produce good citizens who knew how to exercise their rights, fulfil their duties and obligations, and acquire virtues such as piety, obedience, manliness, courage, bravery, industry, honesty, prudence, etc.

3. Military. To train to be good soldiers and conquerors in war.

4. Civic and political. To train men to be participative and wise in politics.

5. Religious. To train men to have reverence for the gods.

Types of Education1. Physical and Military

Training2. Civic Training3. Moral Training4. Religious Training5. Vocational Training

Content to be Studied1. Ballads and songs glorifying traits esteemed by the

Romans.2. The Laws of the Twelve Tables. The youth memorized

these laws which defined private and public relationships and human and property rights.

3. Religious ceremonies and usages. All activities were under the auspices of gods who have to be placated always by sacrifices and ceremonies.

Agencies of Education1. Home2. Shop and Farm3. Military Camp4. Forum5. Private Schools

Organization of Grade Levels1. Early training for young children was in the home.2. Later, the boys went with their fathers to the shops

or farms.3. The boys also went to the forum to learn about public

affairs.4. At 16, the boy became a citizen taking on toga virilis

of manhood solemnized by religious ceremonies.5. He then entered military camp, after which he was

fully prepared for his duties in life, both civic and military.

Methods of Instruction1. Direct Imitation2. Memorization3. Discipline

FinancingWhen training was carried on

in the home, in the father’s shop or farm, in the forum, or in the military camp the learners did not pay any fee. But when they entered the private schools put up by Greeks, they had to pay.

Later Roman EducationThe Roman conquests of other lands brought the

Romans in contact with other civilizations. Generally, the Romans brought with them persons from the conquered lands and made them slaves. But these slaves were usually educated and so they made their impact upon the life of the Romans. An example was Livius Andronicus. When he got his freedom, he became a teacher and translated Odyssey into Latin and made Homer available to Roman education. Roman youth also went to Greece to study rhetorics and philosophy. The educational system of Greece was adopted thus, the Greco-Roman educational system was born.

Aims of Education1. Oratorical. The chief of Roman education at this

period was capability improvement especially in public speaking , perfection in public speaking and debate coupled with stress in moral virtues.

2. Civic. It was the ideal aim of the Roman school system to train the student for public service.

Types of Education1. Speech Training2. Civic Training3. Literacy Training4. Vocational Education

Content to Be Studied In the elementary education were included rudiments of

reading, writing, and calculation. Arithmetic was primitive because of the cumbersome Roman notation. The Twelve Tables later gave way to the Latin translation of homer.

In secondary school, grammar was the chief study with the inclusion of literature, prose, poetry, and language. Greek and Latin authors reflecting the new literary attitudes were studied.

In higher schools, rhetorics was the chief study. This included declamation, extemporaneous speaking, debates on points of Roman law and moral principles, especially, ethical and cultural content, history, music, astronomy, philosophy, etc.

In the university, applied science and professions such as law, medicine, architecture, and mechanics were in the curriculum.

Agencies of Education1. School of Litterator (teacher of

letters)2. School of Grammaticus (teacher of

grammar)3. School of the Rhetor (teacher of

rhetoric)4. Athenaeum

Organization of Grade Levels1. At age 7-10, boys and girls entered the litterator.2. At age 10-16, boys entered the school of the

Grammaticus, secondary level.3. At age 16 or older, boys entered the school of the

rhetor for two or three years.4. Those who hurdled the school of the rhetor went to

the athenaeum for a professional course.

Methods of Instruction

Memorization. This was used in the elementary level.

Drill and writing exercise. This was in the secondary level.

Public speaking practices. In the third level or school of the rhetorics. 

FinancingAt the start, the schools established in Rome were

private schools supported by the fees of the students. Hence, only the children of the well-to-do families could attend school. Attendance was therefore voluntary. Classes were conducted in the homes of some pupils or in some vacant public buildings.

Outstanding Contributions to Education and Civilization

Among the major contributions of the Romans to education and civilization are their methods of organization, management, and administration. They had constructed a carefully organized education ladder which probably became the forerunner of many ladderized education systems of today. Another was the Roman organized body of civil law which became the basis of the legal systems in many countries including the Philippines.

ImplicationsTo the Teachers

They must consider that home is where the children learn first their values. Promote gender equality among children.Help the children to preserve our culture even we are living in modern era.Teach the children to give importance to the great contribution of different nations in education.

To the SchoolIt should provide relevant curriculum for the holistic development of every student.Provide programs that emphasize not only intellectual training.Serves as a multi-purpose institution. Implement the curriculum which focuses on the promotion of cultural preservation. Needs to nurture the interests of the students.

To the CommunitySupport the school in its activities that promote improvements in education.

To the Future AdministratorsRequire all teachers to have a broad background of historical foundations of education.Make relevant activities to be implemented by every school.Focus on the development of educational system.

ReferencesReadings in Foundation of EducationBy: Evelina M. Ortega

Francisci M. ZuluetaJose F. Calderon