ABSTRACT
The etymology of the word school is interesting and it derives from the Latin 'schola' which in turn comes from the Greek. There is no real conceptual problem about the notion of a school as far as one can see nothing, that is to say, about the above dictionary definition that is hard to grasp. This is therefore an appropriate point at which to consider the view that there is no adequate rationale for schooling, and that any purposes schools might happen to serve would be better served without them. The deschoolers alternative strategy involves setting up what they call learning webs or networks of things and people in place of schools; informal, but organised groupings of resources and ways of putting people in touch with them and each other. One can argues whether the various things schools may claim to provide, such as education, socialisation and vocational courses, are indeed valuable and are best provided in this manner.
