» History of PRH
The Origins and Development of the PRH International School
PRH was founded in 1970 by French educator André Rochais (1921-1990). During his studies at the Institute of Social Sciences in Paris, he researched the following questions, “How to reach people so as to start the process of growth and orderly living?” While teaching adults, Rochais saw a core of vitality and wellbeing in his students. He sensed that when accessing and expressing this core— or “being”— individuals could discover their own personality and develop healthy functioning.
Rochais’ observations converged with the work of American psychologist Carl Rogers (1902-1987), in On Becoming a Person (1961). This text introduced a theory of human potential that challenged the dominant psychological focus on deficiencies and illness. Rochais was especially influenced by Rogers’ assertions that the core of the human person is positive and aspiring towards growth, that people can trust their intuitions, and that current interior experience is key to self-knowledge. He was also struck by Rogers’ non-directive method, in which therapists listen non-judgmentally to clients and encourage their self-discovery.
Rochais developed an innovative pedagogy that stimulates personal growth and demonstrates faith in human potential. Rochais methodically described the means necessary to create a safe, and effective method for growth through PRH workshops, helping relationships and growth groups.
Additional influences on Rochais include the methods of Maria Montessori and Célestin Freiner, who encouraged their students’ autonomy and self-discovery in learning. Others in psychology, philosophy, and anthropology recorded theories or discovereis compatible with Rochais’ adult education methods, including some of the works of Alfred Adler, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Victor Frankl, Sigmund Freud, Carl-Gustave Jung, Jacques Maritain, Abraham Maslow, Emmanuel Mounier, and Max Pagès.
Rochais was soon joined by educators who were committed to teaching his methods for accelerated growth. Fueled by ongoing research, the PRH psychology and pedagogy evolved into a comprehensive curriculum to foster growth in individuals, couples and groups. The PRH International school spread well beyond France and expanded to 33 countries worldwide.
For more information about the origins and development of PRH Education, see: Persons and Their Growth, The Anthropological and Psychological Foundations of PRH Education. Published by Personnalité et Relations Humaines International (1997), Poitiers, France.