Main Article Content
Towards a Model of a Critical Pedagogy in Malawian Universities
Abstract
Quality university education is important for achieving national aspirations as stated in higher education policy frameworks in Malawi. The major education policy documents in Malawi: The Policy and Investment Framework and the Malawi National Education Sector Plan recognise the importance of university education for knowledge production and its dissemination and for the facilitation of a culture of peace that is conducive and critical for socio-economic, political and industrial development. In an attempt to align policy to achieving these goals, the policy documents outline the following policy directions: improving access, achieving equity, enhancing quality, improving financial management and improving the management and planning of the university sector. This paper shows that what is lacking however is a philosophical foundation on which to ground university pedagogy so as to train critical citizens able to produce knowledge and advance civic values. Thus, this paper conceptualises a model of critical pedagogy useful in enhancing critical citizenship in Malawi. The paper is conceptual other than empirical in its approach.
Keywords: Quality assurance; Critical pedagogy; Critical citizenship.