Symen van der Zee[i] (translated and expanded by Paul Kirschner)

Since the beginning of the 20th century, ‘radical’ educational innovators have appeared from time to time. They all use the same child-oriented de-schooling or unschooling rhetoric over and over again. Do you want to be Education’s Next Radical Reformer’? If you do, then here are 11 tips to get you there!

1. “The System”
Consistently point out that the system is the problem. But don’t criticise those involved. Teachers, students, and management are all victims of ‘the system’. At most, you can blame ‘politics’.

2. Change course. Now!
Say that everything has to be completely different. And now! No time to wait! Crisis! A paradigm shift! Flip the system! And don’t forget to contrast the new with the old, especially using strawmen and extremes. There’s no middle ground.

3. Romantic Child Image
Every child is pure and good…