Two paths towards democracy and excellence
Giuseppe Annacontini
Is questioning internal and external limits to development still relevant? What value should be given to difference?
And excellence? These questions lead to a classical antimony in pedagogy, between culture and nature, which involves the diversified whole of formal and non-formal educational establishments. All of which is occurring in a cultural and legislative panorama which heralds transitions of great pedagogical importance: education of the masses or the elite? And, just as a book from the 60s went, questioning the relationship between democracy and talent, can we be «equal and better»? In order to establish and articulate democracy and excellence in educational establishments, the fundamental variable is the efforts of educators and pedagogists, whose concern should be laying claim to supremacy in individualisation and personalisation processes, which in turn should be reaffirmed as fundamental practices of pedagogical care. Their role is that of mediator, facilitating the meeting of establishment, education and the promotion of abilities to aspire in each and every individual, thus nurturing responsibility and democratic participation.
Keywords
Pedagogy, excellence, educational professionalism, educational competences
