PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIOLOGY
OF EDUCATION
PSE4801
ASSIGNMENT 03
DUE AUGUST 2024
, African Philosophy of Education for an Educator in African Contexts
1. Introduction
African philosophical thought and its related essence have designed the practicality
of an African philosophy of education in addition to its significance for an educator in
African contexts. This essay begins by discussing how key concepts such as
uBuntu, communality, and the challenge of establishing an African identity in the face
of colonialism allow the reader to straddle two worlds—then explores how much
remains to be done. It concludes with a strategic and critical commentary on how an
African philosophy of education will be empowering and meaningful to educators
struggling to improve and enhance teaching, learning, and ultimately life in Africa.
One of the most theoretically crucial tenets of African philosophy is captured in the
saying "I am because we are," tending to bring out the aspect of interconnectedness,
community relationships, and mutual respect, among the community members
(Gade, 2011). This holds everything like empathy, solidarity, and relations of
collective responsibility together, thus forming the foundation on which many
Africans understand human existence. From the educational perspective, uBuntu
applies to training methods that are meant to create or guide a community of
learners; the individual is understood as growing inasmuch as the community around
him is growing.
1.2 Communality
Communality in African societies is lived out communally, with the welfare of the
community outweighing individualism (Wiredu, 1996). This is the theory, or
philosophy, that is behind group decision-making and support systems, and mutual
responsibilities within communities. Communality in education is inclusive education,
whereby diverse community ideals, knowledge systems, and cultural practices are
respected and valued within the preparation and inculcation of the sch ool curriculum
and pedagogical approaches.
1.3 Challenge of Developing an African Identity for Philosophy of Education
First, it will help in the abolition of the 'tyranny of colonialism'—which means an
imposition of Western epistemologies—while it marginalized indigenous knowledge
systems. This calls for reclaiming and integrating African cultural values, languages,
and epistemologies in the learning systems that seek to reposition local communities
in their development efforts and in minimizing socio-economic imbalances. This calls
for a reevaluation of educational policies and practices that are critical to, reflective
of, and respectful of the diverse heritage and contributions of the African society.
1.4 Critical Account on the Relevance or Irrelevance of an African Philosophy of
Education
