Education as a sociocultural innovation
Borytko, Nikolay M.
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There is a well-known statement, «Education should prepare a person not for the past but for the future». In other words, education should serve as the main innovative engine, which sets in motion the development of the society. There is hardly anyone out there who would claim that the development (including the development of education) is possible without innovations. It is also known that an innovation does not pass without resistance, even with the unanimous support. So the question arises, How to innovate and to provide maximum benefits for any development with minimal resistance?
«You already know that although the good is needed, it is a new thing … Our people will not do it without coercion », said the Russian emperor Peter the Great in the early 17th century, addressing his ministers (Edict of harvesting with scythes (11 may, 1721.). Cit. by: S. A. Nefedov P. 160). And 300 years later Russian President Boris Yeltsin in his TV address repeated almost the same words: «Unfortunately, people do not realize that changes will lead to the better, … without initiative, new outlooks, fresh approaches and ideas … a powerful breakthrough is impossible» (Yeltsin. Cit. by: M. Ormston, M. Shaw, p. 68). Not only Russian, but also international history shows that innovations are often held forcibly, without taking into account the interests of those who hold them, and even those in the name of whom they are held. «People without coercion will not accept and will not carry out measures, best designed for their own good» (George Washington. Material from Wikisource. [Electronic resource]), claimed the first American President George Washington in the 17th century. In this situation, laziness, stupidity, and resistance of the performers explain any failure.