Friere Response

What do you remember from high school? Certainly it was not the lectures of your teacher, the true or false questions, or the books that you were forced to (and probably did not) read. Friere took a stab at today’s educational system in The Banking Concept of Education by referring to current education as a bank; a teacher “depositing” information to the students.

I believe that Friere’s intention of this paper was a sort of call to action for educators. He pointed out the many flaws of the bank education, and referred to problem-posing education as a valid replacement. This excerpt from the text displayed his (and my) frustration with the education system: “The more completely they accept the passive role imposed on them, the more they tend simply to adapt to the world as it is and to the fragmented view of reality deposited in them.” This quote brings me back to my days in high school asking my teacher why I needed to memorize the quadratic formula. Sure-- I can still recite that horrendous equation, however, did I gain any better understanding of mathematics from memorizing a formula that someone else discovered? No. This quote progresses the notion that memorization and accepting things as they are does not better our education.

Friere seemed to argue his points by describing how the banking education system is a let-down to humanity. He stated, “…man is merely in the world, not with the world or with others; man is a spectator…” I believe that we all would like to think that we are with the world and others; it’s an innate trait of humanity. We want to contribute to the world that we live in. Friere crafts a compelling argument by using the banking system as an antagonist to humanity.

Overall, Friere has a compelling argument that I believe all of us can relate to. I do not find many limitations to the way that he writes. Perhaps he should discuss more about the benefits of the problem-based education system rather than his qualms with the banking system. As an evidence based thinker, I would like to see some tangible evidence that his proposed education style is more influential.