School as a formal system of education is widely credited to Horace Mann, an American educational reformer born in 1796. He is known as the Father of the Common School Movement and is considered the inventor of the modern school system in the United States. Mann developed a system of public education that was accessible to all children regardless of background or social status. He believed education should be state-funded, non-religious, and staffed by well- trained teachers. His work in the 19th century laid the foundation of modern public schooling, standard curricula, and teacher training that shaped schools today.
However, schooling in some form dates back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, Greece, and Rome, where formal education and teaching of skills existed, often for privileged classes. Ancient Greek philosophers like Plato also established early forms of schools or academies.
Summary
- The modern concept of school was created by Horace Mann in the 19th century.
- Mann advocated for universal, publicly funded, non-sectarian education with professional teachers.
- Formal education existed in various ancient civilizations long before Mann.
- Schools evolved from informal teaching gatherings to structured institutions over centuries.
Horace Mann is the key historical figure credited with creating the modern school system.
