Decolonised education should include learning in mother languages
Only equal and accessible learning platform to all will enable academic freedom
‘‘ We need to ensure our children and their children are not in the same position
Free higher education is seen as a step towards democratising and transforming SA further. However, the question is how do we decolonize education in this country?
Karabo Khakhau, the SRC presidentatthe Universityof Cape Town and Duxx Muchengi, Unisa SRC regional chair Western Cape, gave their views as representatives of their respective institutions.
Khakhau highlighted that education can never make sense outside of academic freedom. Relating that to decolonisation of education, she said if the curriculum is not reflective of that liberty, then as a country, we are not moving forward.
She feels it goes beyond simply renaming buildings but extends to the availability of the languages students are taught in.
If South Africa aspires to be a country with equal opportunities then we need to provide an equal and accessible learning platform.
Muchengi made the point that decolonisation should be society’s’ responsibility
“Education needs to be seen as a right but not a right in isolation – it should be accessible to all. Once it is, then decolonisation can start to take place,” Muchengi said.
Muchengi posed the question whether South Africa’s current education model was meeting societal needs.
It was debated by the audience that Africa needs to find its own working model – one that drives equality for all. do not earn enough to be able to afford higher education for their children, taking out a loan is the only option. However, these students are then not starting off on an equal footing with others.
By giving students loans we are helping them to develop their education but at what cost? If there aren’t enough high-paying jobs for these students to go into, are we not just setting them up for a life of debt?
Makunga went on to make the point that we as individuals need to start investing in free education. In reality, South Africa simply does not have the money to fully implement free higher education right now, but the process needs to start somewhere. A detailed plan needs to be rolled out to ensure that our children and their children are not in the same position we find ourselves in currently. The goal needs to be equality for all.