Pedagogy of the Oppressed : By Paulo Friere
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[/caption]I was almost too sure that there could possibly be no “Manual for Rebels” or a book on “How to create true revolution?” but Paulo Friere made me rethink.
Ofcourse, still there can’t be a book on revolution or rebels but this book comes really very close. They way he explains the Banking concept of education and its relation to the oppression in our society is thrilling. His practical wisdom on authentic education really makes one think deeply. Some of my favourite quotes are :-
“An act is oppressive when it prevents people from being more fully human… education is thus oppressive for it reduces the taught into an object.”
“Education is a tool used by the oppressors to make individuals better “fit” for the world. (a world that has been created by oppressors where other human beings are to be treated merely as objects.)”
“A teacher’s thinking is authenticated only the authenticity of the student’s thinking.”
What I really like most about the entire pedagogy proposed by Paulo Freire, something that very closely resonates with my own take on educational reforms is “mandatory and equal participation of both the parties (here, it would mean we and the students).” As he explain in following quote :-
“ Attempting to liberate the oppressed without their reflective participation is (again) to treat them as objects.”
“Education must be more as a practice of freedom opposed to (current system), practice of domination..”
“Authentic Education is not carried on by “A” for “B” or by “A” about “B”, but rather by “A” with “B”. “
Actually the entire book is worth quoting, so go get a copy and read it.
On Education by J. Krishnamurti
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[/caption]Pick up any book by J. Krishnamurti and you’ll find deep insight into the issues in our education system with lot of hints on how to take things forward. The questions that he poses are really shattering and makes one think and act.
“Why are you being educated ? Have you asked this question ? Are you concerned at all ? Are you being educated just to find a good job, fit into society, get married and produce kids ? Or is there anything more to life ? “
“So Sir, the problem is to have an education where both the educator and the educated bring about a good society.”
“The function of education, then, is to help you from childhood not to imitate anybody, but to be yourself all the time and to cultivate true freedom.”
“ You might know a great deal outwardly but are you also aware of the yourself inwardly, in reality , just naked as you are not the superficial personalities that we carry”
J. Krishnamurti’s profound views on education are rooted in practical wisdom because he worked closely with 5 schools for almost 4-5 decades. He discussed all kinds of issues with teachers and students and thankfully we have records of most of it.
The best thing I like about his books and his work is he never gave a system to follow but challenged each one of the educator (as well the students) to find his or her own clarity on all the educational issues which are nothing but also the issues of our society, issues of our life.
How to talk to kids so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk. By Faber and Mazlish
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[/caption]I can’t believe I am recommending this book because I just found it full of crap first time I read it. Crap because this book tells you nothing but what is “Common Sense”.
However as I observed closely, I found common sense missing in schools, in society and especially in teachers and parents at all levels (especially when it comes to handling kids). I found it to be lacking in me too. I went back to the cartoons in the book to regain the common sense and then realized the importance of this book.
This book just tells us how to listen compassionately and talk sensitively (to kids but it works for adults as well), explaining them clearly through number of practical and real life examples.
What I really liked about this book is one constant question posed by the authors throughout the book under various situations – “How would you feel if you were this kid ? Would you feel useless or confident and loved ?” . This single techniques has really changed the way I treat kids.
I think this book is a good read for all teachers, parents and even lovers.
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