Education was given a great deal of faith by ancient Roman and Greek. Looking back on the features of their education, it felt like traveling back to the Spanish era when education is exclusive and rigid. Social classes made it exclusive only to those who are “privileged” and still rampant today. There was no deal of subject choices in schools but these are core subjects that made every citizen a productive one. Its teaching principles were based on firm discipline that was established not only in school but in the whole community as well. Learning was based on fear. It appeared that children are learning only because they need to avoid punishment.
Many qualities of Roman education were borrowed from the Greeks. It seems that Greek education is a reflection of Roman education on its better version. It was clear that contact with Greeks led Romans in recognizing the importance of being intellectuals. They have close similarities in many education principles and their process. The same scenario can be attributed to the Spanish colonization in our country where education was transformed in a close image of the Spaniards’ philosophies.
In a Roman principle, the father is the only schoolmaster of his son and the mother would teach the basic principles. Building a sound foundation of pre-requisite skills is important since the early years are the most crucial developing years of an individual. The early intervention of parents at home builds not only the learning of concepts but strengthening their connection with their children. It can be observed in our school that those pupils who excel in the class were the ones whose parents were closely involved in helping their child learn the concepts as they do follow-up teaching at home which leads to retention and mastery.
Education should be a shared responsibility among the parents and the stakeholders. It is not only the school’s responsibility but the whole community as well. This lacks our educational system, a directive, or other forms of imposing the roles and duties of parents/ guardians in educating their child at early years. It can be observed that most of the parents today are highly dependent on government services specifically in education. It appears that they only sent their children to schools with no fees or other duties at stake and they will expect them to learn everything.
Learning by developing fear among children should be seen from another perspective. Yet it sounds very negative but the underlying principle of discipline should be emphasized. Learning will not take place when children are not disciplined because it entails full attention in the process of learning and control over behaviors. Not literally as fear but having a mindset that their actions have corresponding consequences and acknowledge the teachers as sage to follow. Respect among teachers that is slowly fading today should be formed, maintained, and secured by the whole community.
Who knew back then if they are developing the child’s full potential in such ways and principles of teaching. Whether it is from Roman or Greek, it still boils down to the fact that this ancient education is the foundation of our education today. Changes are happening now focusing on the child’s right and freedom while neglecting the true concept of teaching and learning. There should be a revival of the formation of discipline within.
By: Mary Myra M. Tacazon | Teacher I | Kalalake Elementary School
