ALEC PETERSON

 

    Alec Peterson was educator in true sense. He started his career as a teacher, went to serve his nation on the battle front and remain connected with the training of mind.

As long-time chair of the editorial board of the prestigious journal Comparative Education, he was a recognized expert in the field of comparative education and a leading pioneer in international education in Britain and beyond.

He met Kurt Hahn at a conference on international education in Belgium in 1957.Peterson was a staunch campaigner against what he regarded as the over-specialization of British education at pre-university level. In 1960 he published a report Arts and Science Sides in the Sixth Form based on research funded by the Gulbenkian Foundation. It is noteworthy how closely the content of the report resembles not only the philosophy but also the structure of the IB Diploma Programme, which had only begun to be elaborated a few years later.

 

KURT HAHN

 

Kurt Hahn was a key figure in the development of experiential education. He was the founder of the Atlantic College, the first United World College, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Gordonstoun, Outward Bound, and Salem.

He was born June 5th, 1886 and died December 14th, 1974.

At the age of 18/19, Hahn suffered severe sunstroke which required a long period of recovery during which he studied and formulated in greater depth the educational system which he promoted throughout his life.  The sunstroke also left a degree of permanent disability that nurtured Hahn's courageous aphorism "your disability is your opportunity"

As a result of the destruction of the First World War, Hahn became determined to promote peace through education.

One phrase Hahn used to sum up the philosophy of his educational programs was that "there is more in you than think" . Hahn's educational philosophy was based on respect for adolescents, whom he believed to possess an innate decency and moral sense, but who were, he believed, corrupted by society as they aged.

 

 

 

Both Kurt Hahn and Alec Peterson felt that if any change in society has to come it will come through younger generation. For that they should have the understanding of the issues as well. Mere knowledge will not prompt them to take action. Hence they put great emphasis on experiential learning. They could foresee the need to realize that diversity is not threatening; it brings variety and enrichment in our lives. Through CAS students learn to work collaboratively for the same goal. Yet everyone take away is different. These two figures are remarkable and have left very strong handprints on the world's education system.