Skill teachers are made scarce by the belief in the value oflicenses. Certification constitutes a form of market manipulation and is plausible only to a schooled mind. Most teachers of arts and trades are less skillful, less inventive, and less communicative than the best craftsmenand tradesmen. Most high-school teachers of Spanish or French do not speak the language as correctly as theirpupils might after half a year of competent drills. Experimentsconducted by Angel Quintero in Puerto Ricosuggest that many young teen-agers, if given the proper incentives, programs, and access to tools, are better thanmost schoolteachers at introducing their peers to the scientific exploration of plants, stars, and matter, and to thediscovery of how and why a motor or a radio functions. Ivan Illich
About This Quote

The belief that education is not about learning, but about earning a degree or certification, has cost countless young people their chance to learn. Take the case of the young man named John William White who was born in Philadelphia in 1882. As a child he loved science and wanted to become a scientist like his father. But, when he applied to college, he was accepted by only one university in the entire nation! In order to study science on a university level, he had to make some changes.

He had to hire a tutor from Harvard who would help him learn how to read and write equations and make predictions. While studying under his tutor, he completed all the course requirements and received a degree from Harvard. Today, John White is known for his contributions to science and technology.

He followed his passion and went on to become a famous scientist.

Source: Deschooling Society

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  1. Most learning is not the result of instruction. It is rather the result of unhampered participation in a meaningful setting. Most people learn best by being "with it, " yet school makes them identify their personal, cognitive growth with elaborate planning and manipulation.
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