Reflection #7 EDF1005 Ancient Egypt

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #7 EDF1005
The three-fold approach to education in the ancient civilization of Egypt and Mesopotamia

Like our regular approach to education today, education in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia was somewhat similar. When we were born, we all learn the basic thing or way of survival through our parents. Still yet some of us are still taught the trades of our parents and are expected to carry this out in the future. For example some preachers expect their sons to become a preacher also. Which often this can cause problem if that son wants to choose a different path, we learn basic principle at home. Such as, expected moral how to survive and the rules of culture and what is expect of us in our society.

In ancient Egypt, the process of teaching and learning also took place at home in the early stage of child’s life. Depending on your social status it would then be determined whether you attend formal school or go through apprenticeship. However most of the learning is place through kids modeling adults. At this early stage in ancient Egypt kids’ paradigm started to form such as views of the world ritual religion and culture. They were taught ethical principle which was found in wisdom literature and they often follow in the foot step of their family. Moral standard were instilled like us in our present society today such as thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s house. There are three main approaches to education back then.

Apprenticeship took place through a process similar to on the job training. Depending on our master and how well you have learned, you could go on to be very successful in life. This process of apprenticeship last for about 14 years and starts at about age 9. If the child is been taught by a particular mater then he is obligated to that master. The apprentice if fed, cloth and given shelter by his master. At this stage little or no monetary fund is given to the apprentice. However at the end of the apprenticeship, depending on the master a sum so money may be given to the apprentice.

Temple unlike in our society had a different meaning and purpose. In Egypt, it was a sacred sanctuary, where only priest enter and the sacred rites and ceremonies were performed. They were house of instruction and sons were brought to the school for scribe. In Mesopotamia, temple where the most sophisticated buildings. It was build for recreation; they were high and were thought of as ascending to God. It was also said it was done to raise the city above the life of the city below.

Through civilization and new inventions schools have developed to be a center of learning in society. Education has been through many stages and is still going under fine tuning. But will this developmental cycle stop?