Blog Response to Question #1: Banking Concept of Education

Paulo Freire suggests that in an oppressive government, that a “banking concept of education” would be the preferred method. Freire gives several examples on how to produce an oppressive form of education, some of which include: “the teacher teaches and the student is taught, the teacher knows everything and the student knows nothing…the teacher is the Subject of the learning process, while are pupils are mere objects.” (pg 320). Freire describes the banking concept of education by students being depositories that teachers dump their knowledge into. By teaching with this style, it’s difficult for a student to actually learn and attain knowledge. If governments wish to improve upon their education, Paulo Freire’s suggests “problem – posing education.” This style bases itself of creativity and stimulates true reflection and action upon reality.” (pg 329) A government willing to make educational reforms that allow the student to learn and appreciate that learning would need to adopt a problem – posing education. However, if this education tactic is used, the students may become more knowledgeable, and then not agree with the government’s policies and ideas, because they are fully educated. A sturdy government would use a combination of banking concept, and problem - posing education. A teacher would execute control over the students and their subject matter, however the students would not be only mere objects of the learning process, but tools to learn from eachother (student to student). A healthy balance of banking concept and a problem – posing education would be beneficial for governments, and students alike.