Project “Pedagogy of Folk High Schools”

UA

Project “Pedagogy of Folk High Schools”

The first seminar in Ukraine dedicated to the pedagogy of Scandinavian folk high schools

About

The program was initiated by Serhiy Chumachenko — the founder of the People’s Higher School “Vovchok,” and Iryna Maister-Bergman [Rector of Mångkulturella Folkhögskolan in Gothenburg, Sweden].

The main goal of the project

Is to introduce the methodology of folk high schools and the values-oriented pedagogy of Scandinavian countries. We plan to continue holding such seminars in the future to develop educational programs for those interested in folk high schools and for those who want to understand the principles of the Nordic pedagogical approach.

Events Held as Part of the Project:

1. Offline Seminar "Pedagogy of Folk High Schools"

The event took place from July 31 to August 2, 2024, at the Vovchok Folk High School [Chernihiv Region]. This was the first offline seminar in Ukraine dedicated to the educational philosophy, ethics, methods, and didactics that constitute the methodology of folk high schools. It provided an opportunity to form a complete picture — from the ideological features of the Nordic welfare state model to the ideas, philosophy, values, ethical principles, methods, and didactics used in such educational institutions.

Main Topics of the Seminar:

The socio-political system of Scandinavian countries and education: Why these aspects are interconnected, and why it makes no sense to consider the education system in isolation from the socio-political system.
Folk education and folk high schools: The philosophy of folk education, methodology, and its significance for societal development.
Dialogue as a key instrument of the didactics of folk education: Why this is important for Ukrainian society.

2. Seminar "Values-Oriented Education in Sweden"

This event occurred from August 5 to August 8, 2024, at the Vynnyky Sanatorium School [Lviv Region]. It involved directors and teachers of general education schools. The organizers demonstrated how the idea of a welfare society relates to the values-oriented education system in Sweden. This approach provides an understanding of many features of Scandinavian education — the partnership between the child and the adult, the considerable freedom and influence children/students have over all educational processes, and the assessment features that make learning as safe as possible, encouraging children to take responsibility for their own lives.

Project Duration:

August 2024.

Financing:

The NGO “Vovchok Folk High School”;
The project was initiated by Serhii Chumachenko and Iryna Maister-Bergman;
Karibu Ukrainian Scandinavian folkbildning network.

Project Partners

The main partner is the Swedish folk higher school Mångkulturella Folkhögskolan with support from the Karibu Ukrainian Scandinavian Folkbildning Network.