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Zar Chi Sint
Professor Chanté McCormick
ENGL 1A
19 Sept 2024
The compulsory schooling system provide education but it leads to widespread feelings of
boredom among students. The standardized curriculum, repetitive teaching methods, and rigid
structure suppressed creativity and engagement.John Taylor Gatto argues, the traditional
schooling system tends to prioritize conformity over curiosity, reducing learning practically and
undermine students’ motivation and potential.
John Taylor Gatto illustrates that the tradition of compulsory schooling system is designed not to
educate but to control the students.It being as an obstacle for students in every aspects to achieve
self-determined goals.Those facts shed light on the darkest truths of how this system can impact
the further development of students in future.
The Prussia system of education was developed in the early 19th century which heavily
influenced the development of compulsory schooling in United States and Alexander Inglis’s six
functions (Gatto 249,250) reflect the same desire of Prussia to bias the students into disciplined,
obedient and conform to authority. Compulsory schooling system inhibits the intellectual
maturity and limits the individual thinking and freedom.
Gatto critique that this kind of schooling system mold the students and infantilized by keeping
them dependent upon authority’s order. It destroyed the youthfulness of children.The rigid
schedule of school ;"six classes a day , five days a week , nine months a year , for twelve years"
(Gatto 244), strict rule and lacks of students’ autonomy which being as hinders to be able to
become independent and critical thinkers. That system is spreading to worldwide like a cancer,
spreading rapidly with highest percentage of fatal.As in my home country , there are a lot of
schools with compulsory schooling system.Teachers forced us to foster Parrot-learning
method.According to the question such as ‘which fruits do you like the most?’,the answer must
be ‘ Apple ‘rather than any other fruits.If they refuse to answer that one, their marks will be
reduced. As they are scared of loosing marks, they started to conform and this impact serious
damage to the confidence and critical thinking of young children.
Prussian education system and Inglis’s framework for schooling emphasize the role of education
as a tool for social control. Their intention is to produce predictable, manageable population and
do not empower students to think critically or develops the skills necessary for self-
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determination.They mostly focus on uniformity in teaching and learning.This approach to
education leaves students unprepared for real world challenges and deprived of the skills needed
for decision-making.
The lack of autonomy can lead to feelings of helplessness and boredom, one of the descendents
from that schooling system."Teachers themselves are products of the compulsory schooling
system so they bored their students"(Gatto 242). Students are often
required to study the same subjects in a standardized manner, which can feel monotonous. The
lack of variety in teaching methods and content can lead to disengagement, as students may not
find the material stimulating or relevant to their interests.Compare to academic theoretically and
practically, students more prefer the latter one as it is more easier in understanding and remain
unforgettable in their mind.
Compulsory schooling system divide the students by constant ranking on tests (Gatto 249). That
kind of isolation hugely impact upon the emotion of students. The emphasis on grades and
assessments can instill a fear of failure in students. This fear may discourage them from taking
risks or trying new things. As I was growing up in the schooling system, the social isolation still
haunting me. We are integrated into Section A to C according to our grades and I was in Section
B. No matter how hard you try or how much you gain high grades in mid-term, the decision of
integration is dependent upon grades in final exam. Students from Section A bullies other
students and teachers gave more opportunities to them. Even Parents of those students mocked
us and didn’t let their children to communicate to us.
Beyound those facts, compulsory schooling is still supported by various politicians and
industrials titans. Business leaders understand that the health of their industry depends on future
generations. Supporting a strong education system aligns with their long-term goals of ensuring
a competent workforce. Governments and educational institutions may view it as essential for
workforce development and social stability. Gatto critique"Prussian system was useful in
creating not only a harmless electorate and a servile labor force but also a virtual herd of
mindless consumers"(Gatto 251). That’s why they refuse to jettison the old system and
intentionally inherit it to future generations.
Ultimately, the persistence of the compulsory schooling system raises important questions about
its impact on future generations. Gatto’s critiques remind us that we need to rethink and improve
our educational practices to better support students, encourage creativity, and develop critical
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thinkers. If we don’t make significant changes, we risk continuing a system that values
conformity over curiosity, which could leave students unprepared for the challenges they will
face in the future.
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