Emancipatory Learning

“Reading the world always precedes reading the word, and reading the word implies continually reading the world.” Paulo Freire

What is Emancipatory Learning?

Emancipatory learning is associated with the works of educator and theorist, Paulo Freire, who emphasized the importance of education as a tool for liberation and social transformation. It goes beyond traditional models of education by actively engaging learners in understanding and challenging societal norms and structures that may perpetuate inequality.

Key principles of emancipatory learning include:

Critical Reflection: Encouraging learners to critically reflect on their own experiences, beliefs, and societal structures.
Social Justice: Focusing on issues of social justice, equity, and human rights as integral parts of the learning process.
Empowerment: Empowering learners to recognize and challenge systemic barriers and injustices, fostering a sense of agency and activism.
Inclusivity: Embracing diverse perspectives, experiences, and voices to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.
Action-Oriented: Moving beyond theoretical understanding to encourage learners to take meaningful action to address social issues and contribute to positive change.

It aims to empower learners to critically examine and challenge existing systems of oppression, inequality, and injustice.