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-Editorial
An ancient education system continues to shape modern public schooling, imposed in the U.S. through the influence of a powerful elite. The Prussian education system (PES), originally designed to train obedient soldiers, has evolved into a method of controlling citizens by molding their thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions of reality. Today, public education in many countries follows this structure, raising concerns about its impact on creativity, independent thinking, and individual freedom.
The Origins of the Prussian Education System
The Prussian education system was established in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in response to military defeats in the Napoleonic Wars. Prussia sought to create a disciplined, obedient populace that would follow orders without hesitation—an approach that proved effective on the battlefield. The model emphasized strict discipline, uniformity, and a centralized curriculum designed to instill loyalty to the state.
This system laid the foundation for what would become modern public schooling. Students were trained to sit quietly, listen to an authority figure at the front of the room, and absorb pre-approved knowledge. This obedience-based model spread globally, influencing education policies in countries like the United States and Germany.
The Purpose of Prussian Education Today
While originally designed to train soldiers, the PES has been adapted to create compliant citizens who follow societal norms without questioning them. Students spend at least 12 years in government-controlled institutions where they are taught not only academic subjects but also behavioral expectations. They learn to sit down, remain silent, and accept knowledge as presented by the system, leaving little room for independent thought.
In a capitalist society, this conditioning extends beyond school. The media dictates what people should buy, who they should vote for, and how they should think. Governments use this model to maintain social order, ensuring that the majority remains obedient and does not challenge the status quo. While public schooling is widely available, it often serves as a tool to shape individuals into productive workers rather than free-thinking innovators.
The Role of Wealthy Industrialists in Shaping Public Education
Public education as we know it today was heavily influenced by wealthy industrialists who saw the need to control the working class. One of the most significant figures in this movement was John D. Rockefeller, who founded the General Education Board (GEB) in the early 20th century. His efforts were soon joined by other industrialists such as Carnegie, Guggenheim, Mellon, Morgan, and Vanderbilt.
The mission of the GEB was clear from the start:
“In our dreams, people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hands. The present education conventions of intellectual and character education fade from their minds, and unhampered by tradition, we work our own good will upon a grateful and responsive folk. We shall not try to make these people or any of their children into men of learning or philosophers, or men of science. We have not to raise up from them authors, educators, poets or men of letters, great artists, painters, musicians, nor lawyers, doctors, statesmen, politicians, creatures of whom we have ample supply. The task is simple. We will organize children and teach them in a perfect way the things their fathers and mothers are doing in an imperfect way.”
This statement reveals the true intent behind public education: not to inspire greatness or intellectual curiosity, but to produce obedient workers who would serve the needs of industry and government. The system was designed to limit critical thinking and creativity while ensuring that students remained docile and easy to manage.
The Federal Takeover of Education
In 1967, the U.S. Department of Education crafted three documents outlining a redesign of the education system to further align it with the Prussian model. These documents:
- Transferred control from local communities to the federal government.
- Implemented behavioral modification techniques in schools.
- Defined “proper” and “improper” attitudes to be taught to students.
This shift centralized power and removed parental influence, making it easier for the government to shape young minds according to its agenda. By dictating curricula and enforcing standardized testing, the education system became less about learning and more about conformity.
Public Schools vs. Private Schools: A Stark Contrast
While public schools adhere to the Prussian model, private schools often operate differently. Many private institutions emphasize:
- Critical Thinking: Encouraging students to question, analyze, and think independently.
- Individualized Learning: Tailoring education to students’ strengths and interests rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Creativity and Innovation: Offering more opportunities for artistic and intellectual exploration.
- Parental Involvement: Allowing families greater control over their children’s education.
However, private education is not accessible to everyone. Tuition costs make these schools an option primarily for wealthy families, leaving lower-income students in a system designed to limit their potential. This disparity creates a divide between those who receive a rich, thought-provoking education and those who are conditioned to follow orders without question.
The Need for Education Reform
The current public education system requires urgent reform to better serve students and society as a whole. Some potential solutions include:
- Incorporating Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Schools should move away from rote memorization and teach students how to analyze and question information.
- Encouraging Creativity and Innovation: Arts, music, and entrepreneurship should be integral parts of education rather than afterthoughts.
- Decentralizing Education: Local communities and parents should have a greater say in what and how their children learn.
- Expanding School Choice: More families should have access to charter schools, homeschooling resources, and voucher programs to provide alternatives to the traditional public school model.
- Reducing Standardized Testing: Instead of teaching to the test, schools should focus on developing well-rounded, capable individuals.
Breaking Free from an Outdated Model
The Prussian education system may have served a purpose centuries ago, but in today’s world, it is an outdated method of control that stifles potential. While public schools remain the default for most students, they continue to promote conformity over creativity, obedience over independence, and compliance over curiosity.
Private schools and alternative education models offer hope, but they remain out of reach for many. To truly serve the needs of future generations, education must be reformed to prioritize independent thought, innovation, and personal growth over rigid discipline and government-mandated conformity.
As society continues to evolve, so must our approach to education. Breaking free from the constraints of the Prussian model is essential for fostering a generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders rather than followers. The question remains: Will we challenge the status quo, or will we continue to accept an education system designed to control rather than empower?
