What is the Purpose of Education according to Paulo Freire?

Back to: Educational Studies UGC NET – Unit 1

What is the Purpose of Education according to Paulo Freire?

Education is a necessity in every individual’s life. It is an important tool in the growth and development of a person. Without education, one would not be the person they grow up to become. It helps one in adopting acceptable behaviour and understanding their role in the society. One brings positive changes in themselves and the society by the education they receive. 

Paulo Freire was a Brazilian philosopher and educator born on 19 September, 1921. He wrote the book called “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” in 1968 which has been of great influence in progressive education. Freire believed that education helped create critical awareness which he felt was necessary for social change. 

Purpose of Education- Paulo Freire 

Paulo Freire viewed education as an activity of freedom. He believed that one could develop and keep developing through education. His perspective was that education should help one in using their full potential and being powerful for themselves. He used the term “Banking system education” to describe the traditional education system. It related to the teachers only passing on information and facts to empty minds of students which was similar to the functioning of a bank account.  

Paulo believed students should gain knowledge themselves by putting their learnings into action. According to him, development of a person happens by interacting with others and the environment. He felt both theoretical and practical knowledge is necessary in education. 

Aims of Education

According to Paulo Freire:

i). Education helps one in creating their own life and taking responsibility for it.

ii). Education is an instrument of freedom from oppression. It is a way to one’s freedom.

ii). He believed education is either a tool of liberation or domination. 

iv). Everyone teaches themselves but the learning is done together by interacting with each other and experiencing things in the world.

v). Learning is done by putting it into action and relating it with reality. 

vi). Knowledge is provided to the learner and they must construct knowledge from what they already know themselves. 

Freire’s theories on education are still relevant to this day. He was one of the most influential figures in education. His ideas have hugely impacted the progression of the education system.