Illich: Enemy of Schools or School Systems?

Abstract

There may well exist somewhere an educational body which, like its counterparts in politics and the arts, takes upon itself to name a Man of the Year in Education. If so, it would likely be tempted to name Ivan Illich its man of the decade. Despite the sneers of those who asserted that his ideas would never exchanges, educational vouchers, and deschooling society. Articles are appearing on the man and his work in popular magazines and scholarly journals, and university seminars are studying the practical and theoretical value of his various find a widespread hearing, people are talking about learning concepts. As for me, I have been receiving from everywhere in France requests for information about Illich's center at Cuer- navaca. Quite in keeping with the personality of the man, the Illich phenomenon has burst upon the world with the energy of a volcano or an earthquake.