Intolerance as aim in pluralist education

The title of this contribution may rise quite a few educators ’ eyebrows and may cause some concern in the often self-satisfied circles of proponents of plural education in its various forms. For them this contribution may be an instance of putting the cat among the pigeons. In quite a few forms of plural education tolerance is one of the paramount educational aims. Especially mutual tolerance between the various societal groups appears to have a great appeal among educational policy makers and educationalist. Intolerance, on the other hand, is generally regarded as an inferior matter, something to combat. It is sometimes thought that combating intolerance in education will be a sufficient condition to bring forth tolerance. Apparently, there is a need for clarification of both concepts. A first general approach to the concepts of tolerance and intolerance is given in the first section. This general approach will be more detailed in the second section where the concepts will be discussed with regard to plural societies. The third section deals with the concepts as they appear in educational policies. In the final section ‘Intolerance as aim in pluralist education, the ideas developed in the first three sections come together. The contribution ends with three propositions for discussion and contemplation. and the bibliography of sources used in this contribution. Tolerance and intolerance: a first general approach