Education In Revolutionary Struggles

Education in Revolutionary Struggles introduces us to the fascinating world of Latin American educational thought in the third quarter of the 20th century. It discusses the contributions of three of the most distinguished intellectuals of the period – Iván Illich, Paulo Freire and Ernesto Guevara – and more specifically their answers to the eternal challenge: What is – or should be – the role of education in the profound structural and/or revolutionary transformation of our societies? The first part of the book identifies the cultural, economic and political context of the revolutionary years in Latin America. This historical framework is of particular interest because it is the setting for the intellectual and educational debates in which these three thinkers took part. The second part, the heart of the book, expounds in depth how Iván Illich, Paulo Freire and Ernesto Guevara contributed to understanding of how education is linked to the transformation of society. The third and final part highlights the most fertile dimensions of the educational thought of Iván Illich, Paulo Freire and Ernesto Guevara – deschooling, liberation education and revolutionary education respectively – and analyses the points where their conceptions of "education in revolutionary struggles" converged, complemented one another or diverged.

Revolutionary Struggles and Girls' Education: At the Frontiers of Gender Norms in North-Ethiopia argues that at the base of girls’ poorer performance than boys at secondary school level when puberty has set in, is the “symbolic violence” entailed in sanctioned femaleness. Informed by the modesty of Virgin Mary in Orthodox Christian veneration, it instructs girls to internalize a “holding back” which impinges on her self-efficacy and ability to be an active learner. Neoliberally-informed educational policies and plans which have co-opted liberal feminism also in Ethiopia, do not address “hard-lived” gender norms and the power and domination dynamics entailed when parity between boys and girls in school continues to be the dominant measure for equity. Despite women’s courageous contribution at a literal “frontier” during the Tigrayan liberation struggle (1975-91) where they fought on equal terms with men, and despite the tendency that girls’ outnumber boys at secondary level in the present context, sanctioned femaleness constitutes a “frontier” for girls’ educational success and transition to higher education. In fact, when teaching-learning continues to be based on memorization rather than critical thinking, the very transformative potential of education is undermined - also in a gendered sense.

A conservative, bipartisan consensus dominates the discussion about what's wrong with our schools and how to fix them. It offers "solutions" that scapegoat teachers, vilify unions, and impose a market mentality. But in each case, students lose. This book, written by teacher-activists, speaks back to that elite consensus and offers an alternative vision of learning for liberation.

Originally published in 1973, this title analyses revolutionary changes in the Chinese education system and illustrates China’s radical departure from both traditional and Western goals. In his extensive introduction, Peter J. Seybolt puts the transformation of education in the context of China’s socio-economic development and offers insight into why educational reform is at the heart of Chinese society’s radical progress. Additionally, this volume offers valuable historical background as well as a biographical guide and a glossary allowing for a fuller understanding of both historical and modern issues. This is an ideal title for students interested in Asian Studies and History.

Waking the Dictator is a study of federalism in late nineteenth century Veracruz State. It is also a politico-military analysis and an evaluation of social-revolutionary relations in the epoch of the Porfiriato and the Mexican Revolution. This study is the first modern, comprehensive, and analytical history of the Porfiriato and Mexican Revolution in Veracruz.

Learning with Lenin brings together, for the first time, Lenin’s classic texts and his speeches and writings on education. To facilitate educators and activists’ engagement with these works, a study and discussion guide accompanies each text. Learning with Lenin contributes to the rematerialization of a revolutionary movement in the U.S. by focusing on the pedagogy of Lenin. After a series of setbacks and attacks that seriously degraded its status in both working-class struggles and educational theory, socialism is once again on the rise. Like the generations before them, organizers, activists, and educators are once again turning to classic works of socialism to understand and respond to the systematic depravities of imperialism, white supremacy, and settler-colonialism. Learning with Lenin will assist anyone interested in reading and applying Lenin’s theories to our current era, with all of its complexities and contradictions. Praise for Learning with Lenin "Renowned education psychologist Lev Vygotsky knew quite well that Lenin had much to teach us about the relationship between education and revolution. In Learning with Lenin, Derek Ford and Curry Malott help bring Lenin’s valuable insights into today’s struggle for a society that meets the needs of humanity and the planet.” ~ Wayne Au, Professor, UW Bothell, author of, A Marxist Education.

The study of Maoist education is essential to a full understanding of the Communist revolution on China because the aim of the revolution is not only to reshape the political structure and the economic system but to establish a new society, to be brought about and perpetuated by a "new type of man." Education is the means by which the "new man" is produced. What are the attributes of the "new man"? A profile of the new man would help in visualizing the kind of "proletarian society" that the Communist revolution aims to achieve. Except when it is necessary to understand the background of the educational revolution, educational developments in earlier periods will not be discussed. The basic data have been gathered from Chinese Communist publications. Readers are requested to bear with the recurrent use of the same phrases and clichés, and to remember that this repetitiousness is a method used by the Chinese Communists to present simple ideas and concepts and drill them into the consciousness of the people.

Chinese Education Since 1949: Academic and Revolutionary Models covers the developments in the education in China. This book is composed of 11 chapters that discuss the contrasting models of education: Academic Model and Revolutionary Model. It addresses the effectiveness of combining these models. This book begins with the description of a political education; ideological remolding; development of a new school system; assessment of worker-peasant education; types of literacy campaigns; review of the Language Reform after 1949; description of Spare-time Education; and analysis of Sovietized Education. Other chapters consider the study of Friendship Association, the Hundred Flowers campaign, and the response of the so-called intellectuals. A chapter is devoted to the educational revolution and transitional period. The last chapter focuses on the revolutionary model of education. The book can provide useful information to historians, sociologists, students, and researchers.