Brazilian philosopher and educator, Paulo Reglus Neves Freire is best known for his work on critical pedagogy, the method of teaching as an academic subject, to the oppressed. He inspires a whole movement of educators fighting to democratise universities, in order to reach out to groups that are largely excluded from it.
On the year marking the centenary of the birth of Freire (1921-1997), the heralded thinker’s work on education, can motivate many to look at valid alternatives to ascendant higher education with a focus on measured outcomes and employability.
An opinion article by Prof. Peter Mayo from the Department of Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education within the Faculty of Education, says we “must build on initiatives that put the stress on social justice and community engagement”.
The article may be accessed online.