This document compares and contrasts realism and essentialism in education. It defines realism as believing that true reality exists whether perceived or not, and essentialism as stressing essential knowledge and skills for citizens. Realism aims to prepare students for life through experience, while essentialism focuses on basic skills and discipline. Realism bases its curriculum on science and practical subjects, and essentialism emphasizes traditional subjects. The teacher's role in realism is to have full content knowledge, and in essentialism is to guide students, with parents also playing a vital role. Students in realism learn through doing, and in essentialism listen and learn from the teacher. Both approaches receive criticisms around goals and modes of instruction.

1. Comparison and contrast
between realism and
essentialism
PRESENTED BY : HAMZA MUNIR & ZEESHAN BALOCH
PRESENTED TO : MS. SUNDAS SHAUKAT

2. Contents
 Meaning of realism and essentialism
 Definations
 Proponents
 Aims of education
 Curriculum
 Criticism
 Role of teacher
 Role of student
 Conclusion
 references

3. Meaning of realism and essentialism
Realism:
 Realism is derived from the greek word “RES” which means real
which further is realted to object.
 Realism believes that all knowledge is derived from the
experience and the real world is the world of nature.
Essentialism:
 The two origins of essentialism is from idealism and realism.
 Essentialist refers to “Basic Education” The word essentialism
consist of two parts ,i.e ESSENTIAL & ISM
 ESSENTIAL refers to “extremely importantor necessary” & ISM (suffix
) refers to belief.

4. Defination:
Realism:
 It can be define as:
 “There is a true reality and things exist whether humans
preceive them or not”
Essentialism:
 It can be define as
 “ The belief that something is necessary”
 It stresses on the essential knowledge and skills that
productive citizens should learn.

5. Proponent
Realism:
 Aristotle is generally regarded as the father of realism.
 According to Aristotle “ideas (or form) Such as the idea of god or the
odea of tree can exist without matter; but there can be no matter without
form.
Essentialism:
 Essentialism is an American philosophy of education which began in the
1930s & 1940s.
 Essentialist refers to “Basic Education”
 William Bagley (1874- 1936), an American philosopher introduced the
philosophy of essentialism in education in the 1930s.

6. Aims of education
Realism:
 Prepare the child for happy and successful life.
 Developing physical and mental powers of the child.
 Transmit culture and develop human nature
 Focus on observation and experiment.
Essentialism:
 Essentialist believe that students should be taught to be a model citizen.
 Basic skills are focused . Hardwork is encouraged & discipline is maintained.
 Essentialism focus on both subjects, traditional and character development.It focuses
on ethics,values,moral and descipline things that are not learnt by books.

7. Curriculum
Realism:
 Realism recomends the designing of curriculum for realistic education which enables Learners to solve
different problems of life and to lead a happy and successful life.
 It based on practical more than theoretical.
 It prescribes to include science subjects such as Physics,Chemistry,Biology
 Astrology,Physiology etc.
Essentialism:
 Essentialism emphasizes on the significance of curriculum which means that all subjects must be studied
by the students regardless of their interests factor as they might prove beneficial in future.
 The foundation of essentialist curriculum is based on traditional disciplines such as math, natural
science, history, foreign language, and literature. Essentialists frown upon vocational courses.

8. Role of the teacher
Realism:
 The teacher according to realists is expected to have a full knowledge of the content and needs of
student
 Should have the knowledge of child psychology and should have undergoing training
Essentialism:
 The role of a teacher has a primary focus.
 Teacher is responsible for guiding the students towards a better future.The teachers & parents
should plan a guideline in order to maintain a proper discipline.
 Family plays a vital role. According to essentialism, parents guidance is the most essential part.

9. Role of the student
Realism:
 The learner should be moral and good cheracter person.
 A desciplined person can get the moral values of Truth , beauty and goodness.
 Learning by doing with self experience.
 It is bookies and practical knowledge.
Essentialism:
 The students should be passive and be ready to learn what the teacher presents to
them.
 The students should trust that teacher knows best.
 Listen and learn

10. Criticism
 Realism
 A finite goal
 An emotional appeal
 A right of moral judgement
 Essentialism:
 No emphasis on child’s immediate interests
 Dedication to more distant goals
 More transmission mode than transactional mode

11. Conclusion
Realism:
 Use of scientific investigation and senses in order to learn.
 Realist teachers believe in the importance of experimental learning.
 Realists believe that schools should promote human rationality through observation
and experimentation.
Essentialism:
 The essentialists make sure that young people should learn all those things that an
adult needs to be known as a usefulk member of society.
 Do fewer things but do them well.
 Excel in your choosen direction rather than making tiny steps in multiple directions.

12. References
 https://www.britannica.com
 https://Adamsuniversity.ac.in
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org
 https://study.com

13. Thank you