Anti-oppressive education: Messages from Paulo Freire

Abstract

This paper provides a critical discussion of education as a process in classroom but also as an institution within wider contextual structures. The limitations and challenges faced by educators have reduced education in a target/outcome focused process that reproduce societal norms and ‘knowledge’. However, the anti-oppressive pedagogy of Freire, it is argued, can be used as an inspirational and helpful tool to deconstruct and reconstruct oppressive reality within and outside class. Following an in depth description of Freire’s conceptualization of education, the paper concludes with a number of implications for educators who are committed to anti-oppression and social justice.