Education and Individuality: A Marxist Perspective

When it comes to individuality, many people who live in capitalist systems, are instructed on a daily basis that under socialism, individuality is crushed, with the idea of making everyone the same. In intellectual circles, this process is known as levelling. However, this myth is actually the opposite of the truth. Under capitalism, as we've seen from history, individuality is crushed at the youngest age.

The American school system is not only underfunded, it is organized to destroy one’s creativity, their identity, and their talents, in order to make the most obedient, repetitive workers to maximize profits. Individualism is not lauded. It is frowned upon. We run our schools like factories; with the separation of subjects, the clanging of the bell, the grouping of age groups, the isolation of a student from collective effort, etc. The creativity of students is ignored, and the fundamental fact is that all learn differently is forgotten. Instead of changing the way of learning, to fill the needs of all, we punish those who learn differently, as if there is something being wrong with them. Students are placed in certain classes, given a label, and ‘educators’ act as if this passes for quality education, when all it does is isolate students more. The reality that a lot of kids work best when in groups is not considered, as is the case with workers, so why are students isolated? Isolation is part of the system that prepares them for the isolation of the workplace once they reach working age. The workers always intertwine at some point within the period of learning but lack the reasoning skills to tackle complex questions. This is the equivalent of an entire society shooting itself in the foot. For this reason, the capitalist theory of education, like the model of education here in America, is a complete failure. It is the contradiction of education. Education for the capitalists, is to teach workers basic skills, and to stop there. Enough to be profitable in the near future, and pacifist to accept the current lifestyle. This educational paradigm is the contradiction of education. If your form of education does not dig deep in to the creative, intellectual spirit and talents of someone, or does not give them a drive to further their educational learning outside of school, your model of education is a failure, it cripples the advancement of society.

The educational system doesn't need to be reformed, it needs a revolution: a change of the entire system. A socialist system of education is required. Socialism changes the entirety of the educational system. It makes possible one that focuses on the creativity and activity of the student body to advance teaching and education. It creates one that uses collective activity to build students up, and help education go smoother.

What is needed here are classrooms where students can work together in teams, write on boards, and find answers or study collectively to create. This method of study of history, math, or science functions well. English will require creative writing and thought. Reading should be encouraged by allowing students to read what they wish, interests them. It is not possible to throw articulate pieces of literature at children knowing that cannot comprehend what they are about. And collective effort, between the intellectually articulate, and those who lack intellectual skills, is important in advancing students who need to be on such a level. It helps further to advance understanding, and the creation of amazing writing samples. As a Marxist, this is how I view the individual and education. What we have today, is a lack thereof.