PERENNIALISM

Perennialism is the oldest

and most traditional
educational philosophy.
The word perennial
means everlasting.

Great proponent
MORTIMER J.
of
Perennialism
ADLER
and
professor of
(1902-2001)
Philosophy at
Columbia
University.
An individual
learns best by
studying the
classics.
He wrote the
Paidea Proposal seeks to establish a
course of study
that is general, not

truth which is
eternal, while the
contemporary is
not.
Education
implies teaching.
Teaching implies
knowledge.
Knowledge is
truth. The truth
everywhere is the
same. Hence,
education should
be everywhere the
same.
Education is not

 Leading perennialist
spokesman
ROBERT M.in
HUTCHINS
America.
(1899-1977)
Former chancellor
of the University of
Chicago.
Hutchins favors the
school offering what
he calls a liberal
education. This
would include
emphasizing: logic,
mathematics, the
discipline of language
and science and
history.
These studies
supposedly relate to

 Perennialism holds that

education should be the same
everywhere, for everyone.
The sources of knowledge are
the Great Books.
Example: Philosophical and
religious works of:

PLATO

Wise men
talk because
they have
something to
say; fools
because they
have to say
something.

Educating
the mind
without
educating
the heart is
no
education
at all.
ARISTOTLE

It was
pride that
changed
angels into
devils; it is
humility
that makes
men as
angels.

ST. AUGUSTINE

ST. THOMAS
AQUINAS

To one who
has faith no
explanation
is necessary.
To one
without
faith, no
explanation
is possible.

 Perennialism believed that

one should teach the things
that one believe to be of
everlasting importance to all
people everywhere. Since
details of fact change
constantly, these cannot be
the most important.

 Perennialism suggests that the

focus of education should be the
ideas that have lasted over
centuries. They believe the ideas
are as relevant and meaningful
today as when they were
written. They recommend that
students learn from reading and
analyzing the works by history's

 The educational focus of Perennialism is on

the need to return to the past, namely, to the
universal truths and absolutely reason and
faith.
Perennials believe that God and education
goes together hand in hand, and that
education prepares a person for life. They also
believe that schooling may come to an end
but a person will never stop learning
throughout their life time.

 Perennialist generally prefer a

past orientation, because it
tends to be based on
historical truth rather than the
conjecture about the present
and guessing about the future.

 The Theory of Perennialism also believe

that the environment plays a big role in
teaching someone. A person learns by
experience. The philosophies of idealism,
realism are rooted in this theory. They
believe that having a relationship to a
spiritual being is necessary for
understanding the or universe

 This philosophy is based on the

view that reality comes from
fundamental fixed truths,
especially those related to God.
It believes that people find truth
through reasoning and revelation
and that goodness is found in
rational thinking.

 Teachers are tasked to develop the students

inherent rational powers through the use of oral
exposition, lecture, and explication.
The learners need as well as social problems and
issues are not considered in curriculum planning
on the assumption that the learners do not know
what is best for them.
The teachers are the authority and sources of
knowledge because of their maturity, professional
training, and expertise.

 Curriculum content must focus on

past and permanent studies which
are timeless, such as philosophy,
logic and rhetoric, literature,
religion, and values education.
Content is learn through
memorization, drill, repetition, and
mental discipline.
Students are taught to reason
through structured lessons and drills.

Why should perennialism be applied

in teaching?
Personal development of the
students through inculcating in them
the principles that have been passed
from generation to generation.
These principles are likely to make
one develop a good personality and
morality if learned and applied in life.

 Will be useful in later life especially

when learners begin to appreciate the
need to be educated of the facts and
knowledge .

ESSENTIALISM

 Popularized the
term essentialism
in
the 1930s
WILLIAM BAGLEY
(1874-1946)
Essentialists
hope that when
students leave
school, they will
possess not only
basic skills and an
extensive body of
knowledge, but
also disciplined,
practical minds,
capable of
applying
schoolhouse

 Essentialism surface in the

1930s as an opposition to the
perceived relaxation of academic
standards by the progressivists.
During the Cold War, it
developed into a major
educational philosophy.

 The essentialist believed that

a curriculum based on
students interest or an social
issues is wasteful in view of
what they consider to be the
primary aim of education
intellectual development.

 Essentialism is a traditional and

conservative educational philosophy
which aims to develop cognitive
growth and mastery of subject.
It is present-oriented, focusing on
contemporary knowledge written by
experts in the field.
The essential curriculum gives heavy
emphasis on the three Rs (Reading,
Writing, Arithmetic), English,

 It is a concept of universal
education; the belief that there is
essential knowledge that everyone
in a given culture must have in
order to be a knowledgeable and
fully participating member of that
culture.
It is the schools responsibility to
provide that knowledge.

 It states that the students should be

provided with the basic education
so that it develops their knowledge
as well as helps in character
building.
Teacher centered Philosophy.
Classrooms are oriented around the
teacher, who serve as an intellectual
and moral role model for the

 Students are required to master a set of

body of information and basic techniques
for their grade level before they are
promoted to a higher level.
* Grade one before grade two, English 1 before English 2,
etc.

Essentialist believe:

Students should learn from established

fundamentals of education.
Students should study the sensible and
wise subjects like literature, philosophy,
science and other subjects related to the
great works
The child is a learner to be shaped and
developed
Education is a preparation for life, it is
not an imitation of life

Why do the school needs

essentialism in the education
system?

For the students to acquire basic

knowledge, skills, and values

To hopefully transmit the traditional

moral values and intellectual
knowledge that students need to
become model citizens.

TEACHERS ROLE

As an expert
Impart essential
knowledge
Direct focused
tasks

STUDENTS ROLE

Listen and learn

Trust that the
teacher knows
best

Thank
you!
PS: Malapit na nating makuha yung