HOPEACADEMY
PSE 4801
PAST EXAM PAPERS
2025
PSE4801
*January/February 2023
* MAY/JUNE 2022
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
,PSE4801
January/February 2023
SECTION A (PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION)
(Sub total: 50 marks)
QUESTION 1
According to Dewey (1916), education is a reconstruction of experience.
Discuss the statement in detail. (10)
Education as a Reconstruction of Experience
John Dewey (1916) believed that education is not just about learning facts but
about reconstructing experience. This means that learning happens when people
reflect on their past experiences and use them to solve new problems. According
to Dewey, education is an active process where students learn by doing and
thinking about what they have done.
Dewey (1916) argued that education should help students grow by allowing them
to build on what they already know. For example, a child who has learned to
count can use that knowledge to understand addition and subtraction. This idea
shows that education is not about memorizing facts but about making sense of
new knowledge through experience. When students connect new ideas to what
they already know, learning becomes meaningful.
Experience is very important in education because it helps learners develop their
thinking skills. Dewey (1916) believed that teachers should create learning
experiences that help students understand the world around them. Instead of just
reading about science, students should do experiments to see how things work.
This hands-on approach makes learning more interesting and helps students
remember what they learn.
,Another important idea from Dewey is that education should prepare students
for real life. He believed that schools should not only teach subjects like math and
language but also help students develop social skills. According to Dewey (1916),
students learn best when they work together and share ideas. This helps them
become good citizens who can think critically and solve problems in their
communities.
Dewey also emphasized the role of teachers in guiding students through their
learning experiences. He believed that teachers should not just give information
but should help students ask questions and find answers on their own (Dewey,
1916). This way, students become active learners who are curious and eager to
explore new ideas.
Furthermore, Dewey (1916) explained that education should be continuous.
Learning does not stop in the classroom but continues throughout life. Every new
experience gives people a chance to learn and grow. This means that education is
not just for children but for everyone, including adults. People should always be
learning from their experiences to improve themselves and their communities.
In conclusion, Dewey’s idea that education is a reconstruction of experience
means that learning happens when people reflect on their past experiences and
use them to understand new situations. Education should be active, practical, and
connected to real life. Teachers should help students build on their knowledge,
work together, and develop problem-solving skills. Learning is a lifelong process,
and every new experience adds to a person’s knowledge. Dewey’s ideas are still
important today because they remind us that education is not just about
remembering facts but about thinking, understanding, and growing.
References
Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of
Education. Macmillan.
QUESTION 2
African philosophy of education recognises Ubuntu in the pursuit of desirable
human action towards change.
, With this notion in mind, critically discuss the significance of Ubuntu for
education.(10)
The Significance of Ubuntu for Education
Ubuntu is an important idea in African philosophy. It means that people are
connected and should care for each other. In education, Ubuntu helps students
and teachers work together in a way that benefits everyone. Ubuntu teaches
respect, kindness, and responsibility, which are important for learning and
growing as good members of society.
Ubuntu means "I am because we are." This shows that people learn best when
they help and support each other (Letseka, 2012). In schools, Ubuntu encourages
teamwork and cooperation. For example, when students work in groups, they
learn to share ideas and respect different opinions. This helps them develop
important life skills such as problem-solving and communication.
Ubuntu also teaches respect for teachers and elders. In African culture, elders
have wisdom and experience that they share with younger generations. In the
classroom, students should respect their teachers and listen to their advice. This
respect creates a positive learning environment where students feel safe and
valued (Waghid, 2014). When students respect their teachers, they are more
likely to work hard and do well in school.
Another important part of Ubuntu in education is caring for others. Ubuntu
teaches that people should help those in need. In schools, this means students
should support their classmates who struggle with learning. When students help
each other, everyone benefits. Teachers can also use Ubuntu by understanding
that students come from different backgrounds and need different types of
support.
Ubuntu promotes good behavior in schools. It encourages students to be honest,
kind, and responsible. If a student makes a mistake, Ubuntu teaches that they
should be forgiven and given a chance to change. This helps create a school
environment where students learn from their mistakes and improve their
behavior (Letseka, 2012). Schools that follow Ubuntu principles focus on building
strong relationships rather than punishing students harshly.
PSE 4801
PAST EXAM PAPERS
2025
PSE4801
*January/February 2023
* MAY/JUNE 2022
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
,PSE4801
January/February 2023
SECTION A (PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION)
(Sub total: 50 marks)
QUESTION 1
According to Dewey (1916), education is a reconstruction of experience.
Discuss the statement in detail. (10)
Education as a Reconstruction of Experience
John Dewey (1916) believed that education is not just about learning facts but
about reconstructing experience. This means that learning happens when people
reflect on their past experiences and use them to solve new problems. According
to Dewey, education is an active process where students learn by doing and
thinking about what they have done.
Dewey (1916) argued that education should help students grow by allowing them
to build on what they already know. For example, a child who has learned to
count can use that knowledge to understand addition and subtraction. This idea
shows that education is not about memorizing facts but about making sense of
new knowledge through experience. When students connect new ideas to what
they already know, learning becomes meaningful.
Experience is very important in education because it helps learners develop their
thinking skills. Dewey (1916) believed that teachers should create learning
experiences that help students understand the world around them. Instead of just
reading about science, students should do experiments to see how things work.
This hands-on approach makes learning more interesting and helps students
remember what they learn.
,Another important idea from Dewey is that education should prepare students
for real life. He believed that schools should not only teach subjects like math and
language but also help students develop social skills. According to Dewey (1916),
students learn best when they work together and share ideas. This helps them
become good citizens who can think critically and solve problems in their
communities.
Dewey also emphasized the role of teachers in guiding students through their
learning experiences. He believed that teachers should not just give information
but should help students ask questions and find answers on their own (Dewey,
1916). This way, students become active learners who are curious and eager to
explore new ideas.
Furthermore, Dewey (1916) explained that education should be continuous.
Learning does not stop in the classroom but continues throughout life. Every new
experience gives people a chance to learn and grow. This means that education is
not just for children but for everyone, including adults. People should always be
learning from their experiences to improve themselves and their communities.
In conclusion, Dewey’s idea that education is a reconstruction of experience
means that learning happens when people reflect on their past experiences and
use them to understand new situations. Education should be active, practical, and
connected to real life. Teachers should help students build on their knowledge,
work together, and develop problem-solving skills. Learning is a lifelong process,
and every new experience adds to a person’s knowledge. Dewey’s ideas are still
important today because they remind us that education is not just about
remembering facts but about thinking, understanding, and growing.
References
Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of
Education. Macmillan.
QUESTION 2
African philosophy of education recognises Ubuntu in the pursuit of desirable
human action towards change.
, With this notion in mind, critically discuss the significance of Ubuntu for
education.(10)
The Significance of Ubuntu for Education
Ubuntu is an important idea in African philosophy. It means that people are
connected and should care for each other. In education, Ubuntu helps students
and teachers work together in a way that benefits everyone. Ubuntu teaches
respect, kindness, and responsibility, which are important for learning and
growing as good members of society.
Ubuntu means "I am because we are." This shows that people learn best when
they help and support each other (Letseka, 2012). In schools, Ubuntu encourages
teamwork and cooperation. For example, when students work in groups, they
learn to share ideas and respect different opinions. This helps them develop
important life skills such as problem-solving and communication.
Ubuntu also teaches respect for teachers and elders. In African culture, elders
have wisdom and experience that they share with younger generations. In the
classroom, students should respect their teachers and listen to their advice. This
respect creates a positive learning environment where students feel safe and
valued (Waghid, 2014). When students respect their teachers, they are more
likely to work hard and do well in school.
Another important part of Ubuntu in education is caring for others. Ubuntu
teaches that people should help those in need. In schools, this means students
should support their classmates who struggle with learning. When students help
each other, everyone benefits. Teachers can also use Ubuntu by understanding
that students come from different backgrounds and need different types of
support.
Ubuntu promotes good behavior in schools. It encourages students to be honest,
kind, and responsible. If a student makes a mistake, Ubuntu teaches that they
should be forgiven and given a chance to change. This helps create a school
environment where students learn from their mistakes and improve their
behavior (Letseka, 2012). Schools that follow Ubuntu principles focus on building
strong relationships rather than punishing students harshly.
