Francesco Tonucci: The Education System Is Like A School Machine

Francesco Tonucci, also known as Frato, is an Italian thinker, educational psychologist and illustrator. Most of the solid work that Francesco Tonucci has done is about children, childhood and the education system.

One of his most famous works is “La Maquina de la Escuela” (The School Machine), which represents a graphic and clever critique of the education system.

Although he drew this picture in 1970, it is unfortunately still a common picture today of how education takes place in many schools.

The school machine: a representation of what the education system should not be

Through Skolmaskinen  , Francesco Tonucci describes an education system where students are just passive agents, who are fed with information and who do not participate in the creation of their own learning.

This picture also shows an authoritarian and indoctrinating model, which only aims to get students to achieve certain results or achieve certain grades. In this model, the school system does not take into account the different characteristics and needs of the students. Of course, this contradicts Francesco Tonucci’s view of how the school system should be.

Francesco Tonucci and his views on the education system

An inclusive education system

Francesco Tonucci stands for an inclusive education system where all students have the chance to receive high quality education. To achieve this, it is important to respect diversity. This is because each child has their own learning speed and intellectual potential. For diversity is, in fact, positive and enriching for the development of the next generation.

“The school system must identify children’s different abilities as they develop these from birth. In addition, the school system should promote these abilities, along with curiosity and interest. As a result, it will help children grow without losing their essence, which is their most unique characteristic; what makes them play without ever getting tired ”.

-Francesco Tonucci-

A participatory school system

In addition, the author thinks that it is very important to use pedagogical methods based on participation and collaboration.

That is, teachers should avoid authoritarianism and allow students to participate actively by listening to them. In this way, they will develop their own personal autonomy and become responsible and confident people.

“If children take an active part in school management and decisions, such as being involved in deciding on in-depth knowledge learning, they will not feel like slaves. On the contrary, they will feel free and independent citizens. This is one of the goals that a democratic school should try to achieve ”.

-Francesco Tonucci-

A playful education

In this sense, Francesco Tonucci also stands for a playful education system. He says that education should focus on allowing children to play and have fun because this way as a child:

• Learn better.
• Easier to acquire and understand different ideas.
• Feeling more motivated and less frustrated.

For a child, play means the chance to take a piece of the world and do something with it, yourself or with friends; with the realization that where the play ends, there the child begins to invent the world ”.

-Francesco Tonucci-

Francesco Tonucci and his clarity on the education system

You have now read some of this educational psychologist’s most important thoughts about the education system. If you find these ideas interesting, feel free to read more about him. One may be surprised at the honesty and clarity he uses in his description of his view of the school system and children’s development.