Is child-centered education adapted for alternative schools “democratic education”?
Child-centered education as a foundational principle for alternative schools is not equal to what is understood as ‘democratic education’. Sumerhill School and Sudbury Schools are usually referred to as democratic schools. There, students are given complete responsibility for their own education and the school is run by a direct democracy in which students and staff are equals. In the school meetings anyone, teachers and students have an equal vote. In child-centered education teachers and student are equals but they have different responsibilities. Teachers / adults take responsibility for healthy boundaries at schools. For example: • Here we respect everybody and everything • Here we allow people to focus on their work or play. You may ask once if you are welcome to participate • Here we put things in order after we use them • Here we accept a Yes or a No • Here nobody is teased, startled, or shocked • Here personal perceptions and individual creativity are respected • Here nobody is
