John Dewey: The Father of Progressive Education
(1859–1952)
John Dewey revolutionised education by insisting that children learn best through doing, not passive listening. His philosophy?
Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.
Key Ideas
Experience-based learning: Dewey believed genuine understanding comes from hands-on engagement with real problems, not rote memorisation.
Democracy in education: Schools should be miniature democratic communities where students practise collaboration, critical thinking, and civic participation.
Child-centred curriculum: Learning should connect to children’s interests and lived experiences, making education meaningful and engaging.
His Legacy
Dewey’s Laboratory School at the University of Chicago (1896) became a testing ground for progressive methods. His influence shaped project-based learning, inquiry pedagogy, and the belief that schools should develop thinking citizens, not compliant workers.