Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition

02The 7 harmful lessons taught in schools according to Gatto

In the labyrinth of our education system, there's a hidden curriculum, a set of lessons that aren't explicitly taught but are subtly ingrained in students. John Taylor Gatto, in his book "Dumbing Us Down", identifies seven such lessons that are more harmful than helpful. First up is the lesson of confusion. Schools often present information in a disjointed manner, jumping from one subject to another without any clear connection. This fragmented approach leaves students puzzled, unable to see the bigger picture or understand the relevance of what they're learning. For instance, a student might learn about the Pythagorean theorem in math class, but fail to see its application in real life or its connection to other subjects. Next is the lesson of class position. Schools, with their hierarchical structures and grading systems, implicitly teach students that their worth is determined by their position in a class or a grade. This can lead to a skewed perception of social hierarchy, where students equate success with outperforming others, rather than personal growth and learning. The third lesson is that of indifference. The bell rings, and whatever you were doing or learning is abruptly halted. This teaches students to disconnect, to be indifferent to the learning process. It's like reading a gripping novel only to be interrupted every few pages. The continuity is lost, and so is the engagement. Then comes the lesson of emotional dependency. Schools often reward compliance and punish dissent, making students emotionally dependent on the approval of authority figures. This can stifle their self-confidence and independence. For example, a student who is constantly praised for following rules may hesitate to voice a differing opinion for fear of disapproval. The fifth lesson is intellectual dependency. Schools often prioritize rote memorization over critical thinking, fostering a culture of intellectual dependency. Students are taught to rely on the teacher or the textbook for knowledge, rather than exploring and questioning concepts themselves. The lesson of provisional self-esteem is another harmful lesson. Schools often tie self-esteem to external validation, like grades or praise from teachers. This can lead to a fragile sense of self-worth that fluctuates with every test score or teacher's comment. Finally, there's the lesson of "one can't hide". In schools, students are constantly under scrutiny, their every action monitored and evaluated. This can stifle their creativity and individuality, as they learn to conform to expectations rather than express their unique ideas. In conclusion, these seven lessons, as identified by Gatto, are subtly taught in schools, shaping students' understanding of knowledge, social hierarchy, learning engagement, independence, critical thinking, self-worth, and individuality. It's high time we reevaluate our education system and strive for a change that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a healthy sense of self in students.

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