Democracy and humanity at school. An example of the pedagogical model of the teacher Pere Vergés (1896-1970) and proposals for the future

Abstract

One of the top representatives of the Catalan New School was the teacher Pere Vergés (1896-1970). He created a pedagogical model focused on the respect, autonomy and democracy of students. Proposals such as this one, as well as of others that emerged in the first third of the 20th century, must be analyzed in order to transfer them to the 21st century. This study gives a detailed view of the pedagogy of Pere Vergés for the purpose of renewing and improving today’s education. Based on a hermeneutical methodology that analyzes the primary sources, along with a whole set of secondary sources, an almost forgotten way of doing things is visualized. The moral democratic elements of participation of all, and of constant change, are common aspects that should be emphasized. At the same time, other issues such as those related to respect or values were taken into account, along with an integral approach to work, involving the body (physical education) and the spirit (music) as distinctive elements of the self. This pedagogy recalls to some extent the Greek paideia. Accordingly, this analysis should allow us to reflect on promoting possible applications in a society and an educational system in crisis that do not know where they are heading, that are constantly changing, and that propose many new methodologies, often without bearing clearly in mind such concepts as democracy and morality.

Keywords: Democracy, Escola del Mar, pedagogy, pedagogical renovation, Pere Vergés, school.