Ive been busy this evening. I did read Colin Ward - two chapters from Anarchy In Action. One on schools and one on play ( adventure playgrounds- as Im involved in one).
Its called Anarchy in Action as its about practical things that are Anarchist influenced.
The short chapter on education is summary of anarchist position on education and short history of this country education system ( to 1973 when he wrote it). As he points out in his intro to new edition he was a teacher who found himself at odds with most education.
Start with Play. Something he wrote a lot about. Learning through self directed play. He discusses the Adventure playgrounds. Children were given tools and materials and left to own devices to build what they wanted. He compares that to the muncipal ready made swings and roundabouts. Which didnt interest children that much ( to add see this with our Grove Adventure Playground- much better used than boring swings in nearby open space). The example of adventure playground is that children after days of chaos learn to work together.
So he depends on view of human nature that if people live in freedom they will after a while cooperate with each to achieve good things for all. Its a very optimistic view. Given right circumstances young people will learn and want to learn without compulsion.
( can't do this on Adventure playgrounds now. Health and Safety nightmare. I have a bit of an issue with this)
I went to school in 60s and 70s - Ward saying Play is important for learning was radical then. Play as opposed too Work is theme of his.
On school- State schools. He has several criticisms. They weren't for the benefit of the people. State Education came about due to concerns , for example , of Britains industrial competition with other states. Producing loyal citizens. The state system ( in 70s) did not help solve inequality. More funding went to Grammer school children or University students than secondary Modern students. He calls education state funding a regressive tax on the poor. Third reason is what school students think themselves. A significant number can't wait to leave. The state system is inflexible. Any experiment in different kind of education does not get funded. Why controversially he opposed getting rid of private schools. As the few experiments in education took place in private sector.
He points out he is not against schools. He is against the school system that developed in this country from 1870s onwards.
His hopes for the future ( in 70s). One is that school kids will refuse to go. Bring the system to a halt. He also saw educationalists like Ivan Illich and Freire get taken seriously.(not read them Partner says Pedagogy of the Opppressed is important to read) He thought that experiments like the Scotland Road Free School ( and others like it) could have got more funding to experiment with as an alternative. Found this on the short lived
Free Schools Run by parents, teachers and students. ( yes Hippies again.
)The article follows up on some of the students now adults. Mixed views. A lot of them liked it. some feel they missed out on exams as they weren't forced to do them. A lot liked that cane ( which I remember was still around in 60s and 70s) wasn't used. Some said they learnt to get on with people.
Schools without walls is scheme he was involved in. Moving school out into local community. Based in building but "lessons" in the community.
So alternatives can be tried within the present system.
What Colin Ward didnt see was New Labour and Tories use of Academies and Free Schools. In a right wing way. Removing in theory central or Council control over education that had been built up post war as part of Welfare state. ( Something else he is not keen on)
Reminds me of reading Mike Davis "Planet of Slums". Running through it is criticism of the same kind of Anarchist inspired anti State self help. Written some time after the 70s it criticises the idea of self help in the slums that was advocated at the time by more libertarian architects. Rather than more ( Left) State action to build mass affordable housing. The Anarchist inspired self help led to petty bourgeousie landlordism. Slipped into helping the right.
Criticism of Colin Ward is that his criticism of state system was taken up by the Right. But used to undermine education.
So Id say what Colin Ward would say on children going to school being non compulsory. If schools were places where parents, students and teachers had a say they would want to go. People learn best when its more like self directed play. Students should be able to choose what they do based on what they want. Schools should be integrated into local community so learning can take place outside the school.
So a lot of what other posters here would probably agree with except for making it completely voluntary.
