Deschooling Society (Open Forum)

Once again Ivan Illich goes for the jugular vein of capitalist society suggesting institutions, here education, render people less prone to self reliance and improvment, while maintaining 'cushy number' occupations for the middle classes through professional protectionism. While criticising he is not unforthcoming, as in his other works, to suggesting remedies. Some of which are more than plausible and pragmatic, particularly in a more computer driven age than thirty years ago when the book was written. I haven't given five stars because there's a turgid chapter toward the end when he tries analogies between modern man and Greek mythology to explain his arguments. This and the fact that that he's disposed to a rather disengaging, waffly style of prose at times lose him marks in MY classroom I'm afraid!

This is a fundamentally important book. It takes a refreshingly open and challenging stance on our current excessive and damaging compulsory schooling.

An engaging book from start to finish - Illich unpacked his inspiring ideas leaving me wanting more. Although this was first published in the early 70's it speaks urgently and relevantly about our current schooling situation.