Marxist theory of education and its pedagogical implications

Abstract

This study has as its express purpose shedding light on an important issue of educational concern. The issue is Marxist theory of education. Our interest will mainly be focused on a philosophical search that exposes Marxism and its pedagogical implications in the educational arena. The position we adopt at the onset hold that every theory of education is intended to create a critical consciousness on the individuals, change them with new information and perspectives and increase their capacity to transform and increase their capacity to transform their lives, environment, community and society. In this study, we adopt Paulo Freire,s concept of education and his contribution on critical consciousness. His definition hold that, education is the intersubjective process of becoming entirely aware of ones' reality in a manner that leads to effective action in a manner that leads to effective action upon it. This adoption serves as the springboard on Marxist view of education, that is, formation of critical mind which leads to action. In practical terms, the widely- read works of Freire are basically the epistemology of the early Marx writ large and translated in pedagogical practice. In theoretical terms, an epistemology is required in order to ground and criticize much of the current radical critique of schooling. Marxist approach to education, is broadly constructivist and emphasizes activity, collaboration and critique, rather than passive absorption of knowledge and conformism.