The Invention of School

Have you ever wondered who invented school? Well, it seems that the history of schools dates back to ancient Greece. In ancient Greece, schools were called academies. The term ‘academy’ began to be used around 385 BC when the Greek scholar Plato, formed a philosophy school in Akademia.

However, some say that the common school system was formed by the Byzantine Empire around 425 A.D. Schools were mainly primary schools and all soldiers had to have a minimum of primary education. However, the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 A.D. brought the end of this education system.

 The invention of modern schools also has been attributed to Islam. Islamic culture put an emphasis on knowledge and this led to the development of systematic teaching methods. At first most of the teaching took place in mosques, but around the ninth century schools known as madrassa were introduced. Later on during the time of the Ottoman Empire, institutions were built that included several facilities in one place such as a mosque, madrassa, hospital and dining areas. The design of these institutions was intended to make learning open to the public.

Have you ever heard of Mr. Harry P. School?  He may have begun the idea by gathering naughty kids in the neighborhood and locking them up in a building. Back in 1369, the idea seemed good to the parents. Later they employed an adult to look after the children. And some say that is how schools started!