The free educational prison: metaphors and images

Summary The purpose of the present study, based on thousands of metaphorical images gathered from hundreds of students and educators, is to enlighten empirically some basic perceptions that may enhance our understanding of the problems and difficulties which face schooling. The wide range of metaphorical images can be a fruitful springboard for teacher training and changing educational practice. The analysis is organized in four sections: the pupil, the teacher, the principal and the school, underscoring what seems to be one of the major contradictions in schooling: the free educational prison. The study is a simultaneous view of the open educational character of schooling and its imprisoning effect. The finding of a significant discrepancy between students’ perceptions of themselves, the educators and the school, and of the educators’ perception of students poses a challenge to the schooling system.