10 APRIL 2000
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INTERNATIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH CARE NETWORK
10 APRIL 2000
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A Century before his Time
John Bosco (1815-1888) was the founder of the Salesian teaching order. When asked to put in writing his educational philosophy, he answered that he did not really think he had a philosophy. This extract on less gifted children and individual differences dates from 1875:
As a general rule teachers tend to prefer pupils who distinguish themselves by careful work and intelligence. They are apt to direct their teaching exclusively to them. They are fully satisfied to have the best pupils in their class understand, and they keep up this manner of teaching until the end of the year. On the other hand, boys who are slow or behind in their studies irritate these teachers, who end up neglecting them to their own devices.
Now I see things differently. I feel that it is every teacher's duty to give his attention to the more backward pupils of his class, he should question them more frequently than the others; for their benefit he should explain things at greater length; he should repeat things over and over again until they have understood; and he should adapt the lessons and the homework to their ability. If he follows any other method he will not be teaching the class but only a few choice pupils.
One can easily keep the brighter pupils busy by assigning extra homework and lessons, rewarding them with marks for diligence. Rather than neglect slower students, less important matter may be omitted, and more important topics be adapted especially for them.
Adaptable in times of change, Bosco's methods were tailored to meet the needs of the boys. He accepted worthy ideas of his day and used them to suit his purposes, in the adaptation of which was seen the stamp of Don Bosco's particular personality, so that his Salesians followed him and his ideas in a spirit of adventure. He was, Henri Gheon asserted, a century before his time.
Morrison, J. (1976) The Educational Philosophy of St John Bosco. Published privately
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