Paulo Freire
Paulo Freire (1921–1997)
Key Contribution / Core Idea
• Developed the idea of critical pedagogy — education as a force for freedom and social change, not just passing on knowledge.
Background / Context
• Brazilian educator and philosopher who worked with poor and illiterate adults.
• Lived during a time of political unrest and inequality in Latin America.
• Believed education should empower people to question and transform their world.
Main Theories / Methods
• Rejected the “banking model” — where teachers deposit facts into passive students.
• Promoted dialogue and problem-posing education, where teachers and students learn together through discussion.
• Saw true learning as developing critical consciousness (conscientização) — understanding and challenging injustice.
Relevance to Modern KS3/4 Teaching
• Encourages discussion, reflection, and active engagement with real issues.
• Supports inclusive classrooms that value every student’s perspective.
• Fits well with citizenship, ethics, and PSHE topics focused on social awareness.
How His Ideas Link to Others
• Connects with Dewey’s “learning through experience.”
• Echoes Vygotsky’s idea that learning happens through social interaction.
• Influenced later approaches to equality and student voice in education.
Strengths and Appeal
• Empowers students as active participants in their own learning.
• Promotes empathy, democracy, and social responsibility.
• Respects learners’ experiences and backgrounds.
Criticisms and Limitations
• Sometimes seen as too political or idealistic for standard school systems.
• Hard to apply fully within strict curricula and exam-focused education.
• Can overlook the importance of factual knowledge and structure.
Legacy / Lasting Influence
• Inspired education movements worldwide — especially adult literacy and community learning.
• Influences modern “student voice” and participatory teaching methods.
• Remains a symbol of education as a tool for justice and empowerment.
Further Reading
• Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1970).