**Exploring Decolonization and Indigenous Knowledge in Education**

Question: Read the information in the following table. The concept is explained first and the principles underlying or supporting the concept follow. To ensure that you understand the information, explain it in your own words in one sentence in the space provided. To complete this portfolio, it is important that you understand the concepts described below. General themes or concepts that are important for educators in South Africa. 1. Decolonisation (Education) An active process to change the western-dominated philosophy and approach to education to a balanced approach where indigenous knowledge and pedagogies are acknowledged and genuinely incorporated into the formal educational system. Multiple perspectives are included to make education relevant and practical to address needs and challenges within specific contexts (Owuor:2007). Principles: Mkabela – An African approach to education. Own understanding of concept and examples of implementation and teaching practice. African communalism: Community and belonging to a community are an important aspect of African life. An individual is conceptualised in terms of her/his connectedness in a community (Letseka, 2000). Principles: Individuals are interdependent. Human relationships are important. Content and knowledge must be useful for practice. Own understanding of concept and examples of implementation and teaching practice. Ubuntu (Humanness) A philosophy that promotes the common good of society. It focuses on ethical standards that a person acquires throughout his/her life and, therefore, education plays a very important role in transferring the African philosophy of life. The values of caring, sharing and dignity are important Letseka (2000). Principles: Understanding the uniqueness of all persons. Recognising the humanity of others to affirm your own humanity. The welfare of others is important. Fairness and humanness are crucial to personal well-being. In a fulfilled and flourishing life, people are reasonably well fed, well clothed and housed, in good health, loved, secure, and able to make a conscious effort to treat others with fairness and humanness. Fairness and communality; individuals are interdependent. Human relationships are important. Therefore, respect, interpersonal skills and cooperative skills are important. Own understanding of concept and examples of implementation. What does this mean in your practice as a teacher? Africanisation: Using an African point of departure to change or incorporate the African outlook and character in all aspects of an education grounded in a South African context. Principles: Our schools are situated in the South African context. Principles that guide African ways of thinking, which might be invaluable in making education more accessible to South African learners: Examples: Respect different ways of learning, (Letseka); use different processes and methods of assessment (Beets & Le Grange). Use examples from South Africa and other countries. Own understanding of concept and examples of implementation. What does this mean in your practice as a teacher? Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) A complex set of activities, values, beliefs and practices that evolved over time and that are still actively practiced. IKS is developed and sustained through traditional education. It provides skills, trade, training and socialisation avenues. It is a process of knowledge transmission that occurs within the context of family, community, and cultural age groups. A lifelong learning process involving progression through age groupings, seniority and the wisdom of others. Principles: Knowledge and wisdom advance with the age and life experiences of individuals. Knowledge is acquired through interaction with daily experiences and reflects the community’s value systems. The purpose of IKS is to place knowledge within the context of the user. It is handed down from one generation to another and it involves the expertise of multiple teachers. Mazrui refers to pillars of wisdom in integrating indigenous knowledge – tolerance, social justice and the like and Lave and Wenger speak of situated learning, while Letseka mentions Ubuntu values such as respect and ways of learning. You will need to have your own understanding of the concept of IKS and be able to give examples of how it will be implemented. What does this mean in your practice as a teacher? 7.2.1Discuss the following concepts: Decolonisation, African communalism, Ubuntu, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and explain how an African Philosophy influences your teaching context. Provide examples (20 marks ) a)The meaning of teaching ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….(6) b) What does teaching involve? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….(6) c) My role as a teacher ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… d) The meaning of learning ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................(6) e) What does learning involve? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(6) (30) 7.4 MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY (BELIEFS) a. What motivated you to be a teacher. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(4) b. Which subject of specialisation did you choose and why? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(2) c. How do you believe learners learn best? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(4) d. Do you believe teaching is a vital profession? Why? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(5)