Re-reading Discipline in Schools Based on the Analysis of the Paradox of Freedom and Authority

This article analyzes the critiques about discipline presented by the theorists of the de-schooling movement about school functions and, based on them, deals with reconstruction of school discipline and its realization. The method used for analyzing the critiques is analytical-descriptive and which is used for reconstructing is the synthetic method. The findings of study on limits of freedom and authority in schools from the perspective of critics include: freedom to realize oneself and denying authoritarianism; freedom to act in situation; accepting the authority of life structures; freedom to gain experience and knowledge; and accepting adult patronizing authority. Findings of the reconstruction phase include: attention and emphasis on student-teacher mutual responsibility; redefining the role of the teacher so as to allow two-way and free interaction with the student; providing contents and adopting methods for presenting them based on knowledge-based principles; and considering students as active and selective actors. Regarding these components and in order to achieve them, the school in this new definition should be able to select students and teachers at macro and micro levels; in other words, it should be an independent or autonomous school. Selection at the micro level, such as student and teacher selection, is not possible without selection at the macro level of the school, such as content and curriculum.