PERENNIALISM

WHAT IS
PERENNIALISM?
 Perennialism Educational theories
are specific and
focused on
educational
Critical Essentialism
components such
Theory as curriculum,
Main teaching and
Theories of
Education
learning.
Educational
theories are rooted
in one or more
educational
Reconstructio Progressivism
nism philosophies.
Idealism

Realism

PERENNIALISM Perennialim is rooted in

Idealism and Realism
The Influenceof Idealism

Perennialists
advocating that
the aim of
education is to help
students know and
internalise ideas
and values which
are universal and
lasting The focus is
on knowledge that
is perennial – ideas
which has endured
through time and
space.
The Influenceof Realism
Realist influence
is seen in its
emphasis on
cultivating the
students’ reason
and developing
their intellectual
powers.
 The Role of Schools
For the Perennialist

The role of schools, They are expected to be grounded in the classics

for the perennialists, and the traditions of the community, and charged
is to train a group of with passing this on to a new generation of


intellectual elite.  learners (Ellis, Cogan & Howey, 1991).

The perennialists  The great books and the classics of art, music and

favour a subject- literature are especially important as they are seen
matter-based curriculum as capturing the essence of the human search for
where the students are what is true, good and beautiful (Gutek, 2004)
incrementally taught the skills.
The Implications for
Teachers
Students at the elementary
A good teacher, for the
level should be taught basic Students should also
perennialists, is one who is
skills in literacy and understand the underlying
liberally educated,
numeracy, before ideas and enduring human
knowledgeable, and
proceeding to study subjects concerns in all the subjects in
intellectually and morally
such as literature, history, an integrated manner.
exemplary.
science and mathematics,

A perennialist teacher is able He or she maintains high

to develop the students’
rationality by teaching from
great works of Western
civilisation using appropriate
pedagogical methods.
academic standards and is
For example, a literature
skilful in drawing out truths
teacher in a secondary
which are timeless and
school.
permanent in the subject-
matter.
THANK YOU