Makarenko Anton Semyonovich
Anton Semyonovich Makarenko (1888-1939) was a Soviet teacher, writer, and one of the greatest educational theorists of the 20th century. According to UNESCO, he is one of the four educators who defined the way of pedagogical thinking of the century (along with Dewey, Kershenshteiner and Montessori).
Years of life
Anton Semenovich Makarenko was born on March 1 (13), 1888 in Belopolye (Kharkov province) and died on April 1, 1939 in Golitsyno (Moscow region).
Type of activity
A practical teacher. He directed educational institutions for difficult teenagers: the M. Gorky Colony and the F. E. Dzerzhinsky Commune. He created his own education system, where work, self-government and an educational team were key.
A theorist of pedagogy. He developed the principles of "parallel action" (influencing a personality through a team), the theory of perspective lines (setting goals for pupils near, medium and far away) and the concept of discipline as a form of freedom.
Writer. He is the author of artistic and pedagogical works in which he summarized his experience.
Main works
"The Pedagogical Poem" (1935) is an artistic and documentary description of work in the Gorky penal colony; Makarenko's most famous work.
"Flags on the Towers" (1938) is a continuation of the theme of collective education, shows the development of the commune.
A Book for Parents (1937) — reflections on family education, practical advice and ethical guidelines.
The essence of the pedagogical system
Key elements of Makarenko's approach:
Work as the basis of education. In the commune, students participated in real production: for example, they produced electric drills and FED cameras. The work was productive, not formal: the guys received salaries, learned how to manage and take responsibility.
Self-management. The team had commanding councils, general meetings, and commissions in various areas (agriculture, sanitation, etc.). It taught both to lead and to obey.
Perspective lines. Makarenko believed that a person needs goals: "close" (joy here and now), "medium" (require effort) and "distant" (big life goals).
The principle of "as many demands on the pupil as possible, as much respect for him as possible." Rigor was combined with trust and faith in the potential of every teenager.
The legacy imprinted in culture
Pedagogical universities and libraries. Makarenko's works are a mandatory part of educational curricula in pedagogy; his books are in the collections of large libraries.
Museums and memorial sites. There are memorial exhibitions related to the colony and the commune; in a number of cities there are streets, schools and pedagogical awards named after him.
Theater and cinema. The "Pedagogical Poem" and other texts were repeatedly staged and filmed, becoming part of the cultural canon of Soviet education.