Why do our schools feel like factories? I’ve been wondering about this, and it’s led me to a curious thread: the Western schooling system, as we know it, owes much to Prussia in the 18th and 19th centuries. Back then, the goal was clear—shape rowdy farmer kids into disciplined workers for the Industrial Revolution. But how much of that blueprint lingers today? And should it?
Picture a classroom: rows of desks, kids sitting still, bells dictating time, teachers as authority figures. Doesn’t it resemble a factory line? The Prussian model emphasized obedience, punctuality, and rote learning—skills perfect for assembly lines. It wasn’t about fostering creativity or questioning; it was about producing reliable cogs for the machine. Sound familiar? How often are students rewarded for compliance over curiosity? When does “sit still and listen” trump “explore and challenge”?
I’m not saying schools haven’t evolved. We’ve got tech, group projects, and more focus on critical thinking. But why do so many classrooms still prioritize order over inspiration? Are we preparing kids for a world that no longer exists? If the Industrial Revolution is long gone, why do we cling to a system built for it? And what does it mean when we measure success by standardized tests—boxes to check rather than ideas to spark?
I don’t have all the answers. But I wonder: are we teaching kids to think for themselves, or to follow a script? What would a school look like if it valued questions over compliance? What do you think—does our system serve kids, or is it still taming them for a bygone era?
