Today’s Leader of Faith
JOHN AMOS CORMENIUS
Home Call : 15 Nov 1670
Theologian, Philosopher, Pedagogue, Social & Educational Reformer
John Amos Cormenius (1592-1670) was a very famous Educational reformer and Religious leader who is considered as “Father of Modern Education”. He was born in Bohemian Crown on 28th of March. His parents died when he was 10. He was sent to a secondary school and later, he was befriended by a headmaster who recognized his gifts and encouraged him to train for ministry.
In 1616 Cormenius was ordained into the ministry of Bohemian Brethern. During Thirty Years’ War in 1618, Emperor Ferdinand 2 determined to re-catholize, and this forced Cormenius to flee along with other Protestants. With a band of Brethern he escaped to Poland in 1628. This made him very upset and he firmly believed education is the key to reach all the people and it should be available to everyone, regardless of social status or gender, which was groundbreaking in his time. Books in schools were introduced which was the beginning of Educational Reformation.
Cormenius introduced,
- Didactica Manga, here schools were organized with a curriculum with basic concepts of advanced learning.
- Orbis Sensualium Pictus, often called children’s text book, where text is combined with images for better learning experience.
- Janua Linguarum Reserata, where languages were taught.
- Pansophism, where various fields were interconnected and studied.
- Scola Ludus, where education is merged with games and music.
- Labyrinth of the world and the Paradise of heart, where moral and spiritual education was taught.
His Christian deeds were reflected in his dedication to educational reform. He taught Christianity through education and paved a way to many to know the love of Christ. He also wrote many books and texts.
He died in Amsterdam in 1670 at the age of 78, but was burried in Naarden.
— John Michael, Rajahmundry