School at a difficult crossroads

Abstract

The author of the article points to conflicts resulting from several consecutive politically and ideologically motivated moves of both structural and curricular school reform, and outlines far-reaching, negative consequences of such activities. She explains differences between such concepts as carricular basis and curriculum and analises possible misunderstanding or misinterpretations which are likely to occur if these concepts are confused with each other or wrongly defined. Moreover, she describes the inviolable order of several necessary procedures which will need to be undertaken while planning the reform, if the reform is to succeed at all. She also draws the reader’s attention to the cultural and civilizational context in which the contemporary school functions, and questions the actual purpose and the point of boad general school education under the circumstances where the cultural paradigms are suddenly changed. She considers teacher training to be of paramount importance here and emphasises the fact that it is necessary to perceive the concept of methodics as a social activity which involves multiple fields of study. Furthermore, she suggests that politicians should be excluded from influncing the educational system directly.