Reflection # 9

Reflection Paper#9: Compare the article entitled the First Schools with Ancient Egyptian Education. What are your thoughts on teacher effectiveness today in comparison?

The articles The First Schools and Ancient Egyptian Education have many similarities and difference. The goal of the Sumerian school was to satisfy political and economic needs for the palace and temple. The Sumerian school became the center of culture and learning. The Sumerian teachers were believed to have been paid out of the students tuition fees. Therefore the students only came from wealthy families. The head of the Sumerian school was called the Ummia meaning expert or school father; while the students were called school sons. Also, their were monitors in charge of discipline, this man was referred to as "the man in charge of the whip". The curriculum of Sumerian schools consisted of two main groups, the first semiscientific, and scholarly and the second consisting of  literary, and creative. The Sumerian school was very effective in passing on all the knowledge they had and needed to only the lucky and wealthy children.

Similarly, the article Ancient Egyptian Education describes education in the Egyptian civilization. The Egyptians began education in the home, the children learned about the world, folk rituals, religion and how to behave in their civilization. After the kids get a little older, around the age of nine wealthy children went to temple school to learn how to read and write. Some of the ethical principles taught by their parents was also taught through the books of instruction or the wisdom literature. Students in temple school were given the books of instruction to copy and practice their writing. If the children were not among the lucky to attend temple school they learned simply by imitation. From a young age the boys would go to work with their fathers and practice until the boys were capable of working in that trade on their own.  If the child wanted to go outside of the family trade the child would complete an apprenticeship with an experienced worker in that field. In ancient Egypt education was successful in teaching their students what they knew so that they could continue the function of their civilization.

Education today is more thorough and available to all. Education begins in the home with the parents just like in the Egyptian civilization. Then at the age of five the boys and girls start kindergarden to begin their formal education. The kids get general education so that they can function in society. After high school the young adult must decidce whether they wish to continue studying at the collegiate level or begin working somewhere with their basic knowledge. I believe that Egyptian, Sumerian and modern schools are successful at reaching their goals of passing down knowledge and furthering their civilizations.