Reflection 7A

Angela Gregoire
EDf 1005
Reflection

Education in ancient Egypt was somewhat similar to education in modern times because in both instances children imitated their parents and older adults in the societies they lived. Children in Egypt had to work with their parents and other members of the family to gain skills. Life skills, moral attitude and views of life were passed on to their children in a very practical way. At a very tender age, children were taught by their parents. They taught them the facts of life, aspects of the culture, religion, values and morals. They were taught to respect other people and the deities. The Wisdom literature was an important book in Egypt. In this book children could read about ethical principles, which were generally taught by elders, nobles and scribal classes to younger men. The Egyptians believed in a well- organized and ordered life. Principles of truth –telling and fairness were favored over lying and injustice. In addition to tribal and at home teaching, formal vocational training was part of the education system.

Young men were not at liberty to choose their own careers, but most times worked in the family trade or profession. The fathers usually pass on the family baton to their sons. The king’s children were tutored by royal tutors who taught them literature, mathematics, grammar and writing. Children from poor families learned household skills, and how to play an instrument. Some girls worked as musicians or singers in temples. The children of farmers and fishermen were educated informally. They were taught to sow, glean, and harvest. In addition, animal husbandry was taught. They could take care of poultry and cattle and they were skilled in making nets and catching fish. Some craftsmen taught the children skills in making ceramic, faience, metalwork, sculpture, and painting.
Literacy was a priority for all skilled men in the community.They converted written texts on papyri and ostraca into hieroglyphs on temples and tombs. Reading and writing were essential skills in both hieratic and hieroglyphic. Religion and foreign languages were not included, and physical education was only taught to kings’ sons. Very often students were given opportunities to practice writing skills using pottery sherds or limestone pieces. Memorization by reading aloud was a common practice and Egyptian children had no set time period for school. Egyptian schools in the old kingdom were informal save for the court and the king’s children and some favored youths.
Education was very important in ancient Sumeria because record keeping was crucial to their development. It was made compulsory and both boys and girls were taught to read and write because everything was written down. Cuneiform, the world’s first writing and its own written language was taught. Most schools were attached to temples and students had to be perfect in their work or they would be beaten and punished. Students in Sumer enjoyed going to school for students who excelled obtained fine jobs. In Sumerian culture literacy was honored highly and was very special. Most schools in Sumer developed following the invention of cuneiform. Writing was taught formerly during the third millennium. Schools were established to train scribes of temples and palaces. Many students who attended were from wealthy families, but poor children could not afford the high cost of education. Egypt and Mesopotamia were the pioneers in education and their methods were somewhat similar.