How decolonising education and Waghid's African philosophy of Education allows for practicing humanising pedagogy

Answer 1

Decolonising education and Waghid's African philosophy of education can contribute to the practice of humanising pedagogy in several ways.

1. Acknowledging diverse knowledge systems: Decolonising education involves recognizing and valuing different ways of knowing and understanding the world. It challenges the dominance of Western knowledge and encourages the inclusion of indigenous, African, and other marginalized knowledge systems. This approach allows for a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of the world, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among students.

2. Prioritizing cultural relevance: Decolonising education emphasizes the importance of cultural context and relevance in the teaching and learning process. Waghid's African philosophy of education recognizes the significance of African cultures, traditions, and languages in education. By integrating students' cultural backgrounds and experiences into the curriculum, humanising pedagogy promotes a sense of identity and cultural pride, enhancing student engagement and motivation.

3. Promoting critical thinking and dialogue: Decolonising education challenges the traditional top-down approach to knowledge transmission and fosters critical thinking and dialogue among students. Waghid's African philosophy of education emphasizes collaborative learning, communal knowledge creation, and open dialogue. This approach encourages students to question and challenge dominant narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of power dynamics and social justice issues.

4. Emphasizing ethics and social responsibility: Both decolonising education and Waghid's African philosophy of education emphasize the importance of ethics and social responsibility in education. Humanising pedagogy promotes a holistic and transformative approach to education that goes beyond mere academic achievement. It aims to cultivate students' empathy, compassion, and commitment to social justice, preparing them to become active and responsible members of society.

In summary, decolonising education and Waghid's African philosophy of education provide a framework for humanising pedagogy by acknowledging diverse knowledge systems, prioritizing cultural relevance, promoting critical thinking and dialogue, and emphasizing ethics and social responsibility. These approaches contribute to creating inclusive, empowering, and transformative educational experiences for students.