"Authority" in Christian National Education and fundamental pedagogics
Date
2015-03-11
Authors
Eshak, Yousuf Ismail
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Abstract
Christian National Education has been influential in shaping official
education policy in South Africa. Though Fundamental Pedagogics has distinguished
itself from Christian National Education by claiming to be a
"science" of education, not tied to any particular philosophy of life,
this report tiies to show it has developed from Christian National Education
and has extremely close affinities with it.
From a perspective that emphasises individual autonomy and respect" for
persons, this report develops a critique of the notion of "authority" in
Christian National Education and Fundamental Pedagogics. It examines the
assumptions underlying these notions of authority, showing how they assume
as "natural" certain political, economic and social relations, and
endorse social inequity. Finally suggestions are offered towards formulating
principles of "authority" which might allow for autonomy and give
recognition to individual worth.