3. Re-invention

"Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through the restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other."

— Paulo Freire

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In NHU's secondary school library

At breakfast one morning, we spoke with two men, Eric and Quentin. Eric described the Ugandan school system. At each school, rigorous governmental standards determine what is taught. Standardized testing ensures each student is meeting national benchmarks. But because there's more focus upon memorization than comprehension, Eric and Quentin are concerned the system is failing its students.

Brazilian educator Paulo Freire dealt with this concern in his work, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. He describes the trend: "Instead of communicating, the teacher issues communiques and makes deposits which the students patiently receive, memorize, and repeat. This is the “banking" concept of education, in which the scope of action allowed to the students extends only as far as receiving, filing, and storing the deposits" (Freire, 72).

Quentin and Eric and their team have a vision: to create an altogether new curriculum, and to help teachers engage with their students. One of the ways they intend to do that is to promote inquiry in the classroom.

Students will be encouraged to ask questions and even challenge what is taught. “The students—no longer docile listeners—are now critical co-investigators in dialogue with the teacher. The teacher presents the material to the students for their consideration, and re-considers her earlier considerations as the students express their own” (Freire, 81).

This was perhaps the vision that interested me most, out of all the ministries springing from NHU. I am a huge question-asker, especially in class, and I believe it is fundamentally important for students to wrestle and engage with what they are learning in order to better comprehend it. 

I'm reminded of how it is possible to memorize the Gospel (and verses, and prayers, and songs) without knowing God Himself. As believers, God's Word is a living and breathing source of connection to our Creator that is no benefit to us unless the Holy Spirit has entered our hearts. 

Education is a small picture of the same thing. You may know that "the mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell," but until you understand why and have grappled with how that is true, the fact is virtually meaningless.