Banking in Education: Does it Serve Anyone?

The Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Chapter 2)

Describe the "banking concept of education" that Freire discussed. Who does the banking concept of education serve best and why? What is problem-posing education and how does it help achieve liberation?

The ‘banking’ concept Freire mentions focuses on the idea that the teacher of the classroom is narrating the subject while the students passively- almost mindlessly- listen. The teacher’s narration does not leave room for the student to connect what is being learned in class to the student’s life experience. This creates the visual of the teacher simply “depositing” knowledge into the students or “bank”. This method of educating is lacking in creative thinking. Students simply receive the information and do not have the space to connect ideas or think in an empathetic manner towards their fellow students and/or community.

I believe this manner of teaching reflects the idea of the oppressor and the oppressed discussed in the 1stchapter. The teacher in this scenario is the oppressor, having the power to teach or not teach what they would like to their students. Knowing the materials the students learn can be manipulated is frightening because it can perpetuate ideas like racism or poverty. This type of teaching keeps people from being fully aware of a situation and how to better their lives. It keeps people in a place of absolutely no growth.

In stark contrast to “banking” Freire offers up the “problem-posing” pedagogy, which is centered on communication. Communication is seen as a way to create freedom for all people, and the relationship between teachers and students changes drastically. The teacher and students become co-learners that can tackle ideas together, giving up the idea that the teacher controls the knowledge the students receive. “Problem-posing” works because it acknowledges that education is a never-ending process and there is always something new to be learned. Nothing about education should be seen as finite, instead it should be seen as an ever-blooming garden with new information to grow and nourish all people’s minds with.

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