Essentialism is an educational theory that advocates teaching students a core set of common knowledge and skills in a systematic way. It began in the US in 1938 and focuses on building basic concepts through disciplines like literature, math, science and history. Essentialism is teacher-centered and believes the teacher's role is to impart essential knowledge and skills to help students become productive citizens. It emphasizes mastery of content through strategies like lecture, homework and memorization. While it ensures students receive a strong basic education, it is criticized for lacking focus on individual learning styles and creativity.

2. Essentialism
An educational theory that our culture has a core of common
knowledge that should be transmitted to students in a systematic,
disciplined manner.

3. History:
• In the year 1938 essentialist movement first began in the United
States by Philosopher William C. Bagley.
• The purpose of this movement was to educate students in such a way
that they can make a beneficent contribution to the society.
• Focuses mainly on basic education and concept building.
• Basic skills should be given concentration in elementary schools while
in secondary schools particular discipline should be concentrated that
students are going for.

4. Fundamentals of essentialists:
• Educational philosophy that is based on teaching the basic skills,
knowledge and character building.
• This philosophy advocates training the mind and believes in making a
student a model citizen who is a productive member of the society.
• Teaching a student virtues and traditional moral values with mastery
learning to live in modern world.

5. Core disciplines of essentialisim:
• Literature: reading and writing.
• Maths.
• Science and technology.
• History.
• Foreign language.
• Arts and music.

6. Importance of teacher:
• Essentialism is a teacher centered philosopy as they have the main
role in student’s mental and intellectual growth as well as directing
their future’s in the right direction.
• Whole classroom educational environment is centered on the
teacher.
• They are accountable for the student performance and leaning as
their role is impart essential knowledge and direct focused taskes.

7. Strategies of teaching:
• Lecture and instructional strategies.
• Homework.
• Evaluvation method and grading.
• Memorization.

8. Role of student:
• Student should be an active learner ready to absorb what the teacher
presents to them.
• Lisen carefully and trust the teacher’s knowledge.
• In essentialism a student is promoted to a highter level when he
masters a given set of information so they should be learn and
practice that in order to get promoted.

9. Role of essentialism in education system:
• Essentialism provides students with strong basic education such as
reading writing, listening, speaking, drawing, etc.
• Enables students to develop a sound foundation of basic knowledge,
skills, and values making them modle citizens of the society.

10. Pros and cons of essentialism:
Negative:
• Dose not focus on individual learning style and lack of individual
creativity among students.
• Students begin to take a more passive role in their education because
they rely solely on teachers to impart knowledge.
Positive:
• Provides a core of common knowledge and skills that productive
citizens should have.
• It provides solutions to problems through the emphasis of discipline
and duty.

11. References:
• Bagley, W. C. (1905). The educative process,. New York: Macmillan.
• http://pangea.tec.selu.edu/~versek/Essentialism%20Paper.pdf
• Null, J. W. (2003). A disciplined progressive educator: the life and
career of William Chandler Bagley.
• Bagley, W. C. (1934). Education and emergent man; a theory of
education with particular application to public education in the
United States,. New York: T. Nelson and sons.
• Miller, D.M. and Zittleman, K.R. (2012). Teachers, schools, and society:
A brief introduction to education.