Avicenna sees that the aim of education is to achieve the physical, mental and moral growth of an individual. As a result, his education included physical development (exercise, food, drink, sleep and cleanliness). Besides, Avicenna’s point of view in education was to make the upright citizen (in body and mind) and prepare him for his craft in the society.
In addition, he stressed on group education. He believed that children should learn and train along with their peers since it has more benefits that learning alone. Such benefits include ethical education, mental growth and social education. He said: “it is appropriate for the child to be with the other children of elites with good manner and pleasant habits in a school because a child learns from a child”.
Avicenna believed that forming habits and manners begins since infancy period. In addition, health, hygiene, education and teaching should be taught at the very early stages of the child. He stressed that the teacher should be a role model since the students will be affected by him as well as by the people who are in direct relation with him (nannies, classmates, playmates, etc...). In two words, the student will not receive information alone but also values, manner and morals from his instructor.
Regarding the teacher’s manner, Avicenna said: “Teacher should keep the child away from bad deeds and make him choose good friends, sometimes encourage and sometimes threaten him and if the threatening did not work then punish him. Be a moderate teacher, means not being so strict that the child does not dare to pose a question or ask for an explanation and not being so mild that the child becomes so bold and ignorant to the teacher’s statements and orders or to degrade them. The teacher must know the child and evaluate his nature and talents and examine his intelligence so he can choose an art and a career which is appropriate for the child’s talent and intelligence, consider the child’s enthusiasm in choosing an art and make him get accustomed to earn a livelihood through an art or a career that he has learnt”
Avicenna divided knowledge into two major categories. The first category is the theoretical knowledge and the second one is called practical knowledge. He believed that theoretical knowledge is implemented by practice. With respect to theoretical knowledge. He said it was composed of three kinds of sciences which include: natural sciences, mathematical sciences and metaphysical sciences. While practical knowledge included ethics, household management, public management, and prophetic science.
very interesting topic and teacher , but he concentrate about the role model in the teacher but also the role model and having a good character is not enough the teacher should has a good teaching methods also to deliver ideas to students.
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