Question

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the philosophy of
critical pedagogy ?
(i) The experience and perceptions of learners are important.
(ii) Teachers were perceived as the source of knowledge, and learners as the recipients of knowledge.
(iii) Focuses on issues of inequality such as social class, race or gender.

• A. (i) and (ii) only
• B. (i) and (iii) only
• C. (ii) and (iii) only
• D. (i), (ii) and (iii)

Answer 1

Answer:

A. (i) and (ii) only

• Critical Pedagogy: This educational philosophy, heavily influenced by thinkers like Paulo Freire, views education as a practice of freedom and a tool for social transformation. It challenges traditional, authoritarian models of teaching and learning.
• Learner-Centric Approach (Statement i): Critical pedagogy strongly emphasizes that the lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and personal perceptions of learners are fundamental to the learning process. It values what students bring to the classroom.
• Rejection of Traditional Teacher-Centric Model (Statement ii): This statement describes the *traditional* banking model of education, which critical pedagogy explicitly critiques and seeks to dismantle. In critical pedagogy, teachers are facilitators and co-learners, not just dispensers of information, and students are active constructors of knowledge, not passive recipients. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect** as a description of critical pedagogy itself.
• Addressing Social Inequalities (Statement iii): Critical pedagogy is deeply concerned with social justice and aims to expose and challenge oppressive structures and inequalities based on class, race, gender, and other social categories. It seeks to empower students to become agents of social change.
• Key Figures in Critical Pedagogy: Understanding key figures like Paulo Freire (author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed), Henry Giroux, bell hooks, and Peter McLaren is crucial for competitive exams. Their works often form the basis of questions.
• Exam Relevance: Questions on critical pedagogy in competitive exams often test the understanding of its core tenets, its contrast with traditional teaching methods, and its focus on social justice and emancipation.