Paulo Freire is a well-known figure in the realm of education, having authored the influential book, "Pedagogy of the Oppressed." His ideas of "critical pedagogy" and "problem-posing education" have been implemented in many classrooms around the world. Numerous education programs indoctrinate new teachers with the philosophy of Freire. However, while his intentions may have been good, the long-term effects of this ideology have resulted in the opposite of what he intended. In this post, we will examine how Paulo Freire's theories have contributed to the decline of education and increased poverty.
Overemphasis on Discussion instead of Instruction
Freire's pedagogy emphasizes the importance of dialogue in the classroom, with the teacher as a "partner" instead of an authority figure. While this may seem appealing in theory, it has resulted in classrooms where the teacher's expertise and instruction are devalued. Students are encouraged to share their own opinions and feelings, instead of being taught to master specific subjects and skills. As a result, students come out of these classrooms lacking basic knowledge and skills necessary for future academic success.
Entrenchment of Oppressive Systems
Freire's ideology characterizes education as a tool used by oppressors to keep the oppressed in their assigned place. While it is important to acknowledge the existence of power structures and inequalities in society, Freire's solution of "problem-posing education" involves the rejection of any established knowledge or authority. The result is that instead of challenging power structures, students are left drifting in a sea of relativism, lacking any anchor to challenge and speak out against systems of oppression.
Disregard for Economic Realities
Freire's ideology ignores economic realities by insisting that education should be "liberating" and not just preparation for a job or career. While this type of education is valuable in many ways, it does not equip students with the specific skills and knowledge for the workforce. Unfortunately, this disregard for economic realities has resulted in a generation of students who are unprepared for the job market, leaving them with few opportunities and increasing poverty.
Neglect of Traditional Intellectual Pursuits
Freire's pedagogy dismisses traditional intellectual pursuits as elitist and oppressive. Mathematics, science, literature, and history are all viewed as "neutral" and perpetuate social hierarchies. In this view, there is no objective truth or knowledge, and all that is left is a subjective interpretation of reality. This is a dangerous and misguided view of education that has resulted in a lack of respect for the traditional intellectual pursuits that have fueled human progress for generations.
Limited Accessibility of Education
Freire's vision of education is fraught with problems in terms of accessibility. His theory prioritizes dialogue and class discussion as the most important aspects of education. However, not every student has the same opportunity to participate in discussion equally. Some students are naturally more articulate, while others may struggle with the language or confident expression necessary in these types of discussions. Therefore, this approach alienates students from low socio-economic backgrounds and perpetuates poverty.
While Paulo Freire's ideas may have had good intentions, the reality is that his ideas have left students unprepared for life, perpetuated poverty, disregarded traditional intellectual pursuits, entrenched oppressive systems, and limited accessibility of education. Freire is a good place to start if you are looking for the root cause for many of the problems we face in present day education and society. It is important to be critical of the methods and philosophies we implement in education to ensure that they are effective in producing results for all students.