The state of education in Pakistan is nothing short of a crisis. Classrooms that should be nurturing independent thinkers are instead producing individuals whose ability to question and critically analyse is being stifled. Paulo Freire, in his groundbreaking work Pedagogy of the Oppressed, discussed the need to reconsider the role of education in fostering critical thinking. It is alarming to see how schools are turning our students into passive recipients of information with traditional teaching methods that emphasise rote learning over critical thinking. In many educational institutions, teachers are seen as the ultimate authority, while students are considered empty vessels to be filled with knowledge by them. This traditional approach stifles students’ critical thinking abilities in the long run and prevents them from making their own decisions.
It’s high time to acknowledge critical pedagogy in schools, which is not just a method but a movement towards greater awareness. It encourages students to think critically and connect their learning to broader social issues and power structures that shape their lives. We have seen enough students sacrifice their futures under this traditional education system. Now enough is enough, one feels like saying. It is time to transform the classroom into a space where knowledge extends beyond the confines of four walls and engages with global, social and political realms. If education is meant to build better futures, it is imperative to foster environments where learners are free to question, challenge domination and speak out against injustice.
It is not too late to awaken from this slumber and reflect: is there still space for this deteriorating education system, or is it time to embrace a more critical and empowering approach to education?
Ariba Ali
Hyderabad
