Pestalozzi's Idea of Education

Abstract

This paper commemorates the 250 th anniversary of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi. On this occasion his idea of education is being remembered; an idea which does not cease offering inspiration to nearly all those who are involved in education. Pestalozzi's firm belief is that each man should have the right to be educated, since education and education alone permits decent living. It is evident that this idea has outlived its time. Namely, considering the overwhelming presence of electronic media in many facets of human life, desperation can be found in simple non-educated people who due to inadequate education have become marginalized. The basic mobile in Pestalozzi's thinking about education is his rage against the miserable and helpless condition of that part of population whose education is so inadequate that they are not able to fulfill their basic human rights. Pestalozzi's educational theory in short is: knowing, willing and doing. Furthermore, an individual should develop at least three competencies; the competency to get rid of confused impressions and to attain clear representations, to acquire the competency to use his own will and competencies needed for self-actualisation.