HOPEACADEMY
HED4804
ASSIGNMENT 01
2025
2025
Develop a glossary of any 5 key terms in philosophy of education in
which you critically engage with and give an in-depth analysis of these
terms. Your glossary compilation will have to also engage in a thoughtful
exploration of the nuanced meanings and implications associated with
each term you have identified, and it also must relate the relevance of
the concepts/key ideas to education in (South) Africa.
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
, HED4804 Assignment 1 (Based on Unit 1)
Education is shaped by philosophical ideas that influence teaching
methods, curriculum design, and the broader purpose of learning. In
South Africa, educational philosophy is deeply connected to historical,
social, and political contexts, especially due to the country’s colonial
and apartheid history. This glossary critically explores five key
philosophical terms—decolonialisation, epistemologies, social justice,
Ubuntu, and emancipation—analyzing their origins, historical context,
and relevance to contemporary South African education.
Decolonialisation in education means removing the influence of
colonial ways of thinking and creating an education system that values
local knowledge and cultures. In many African countries, including
South Africa, schools and universities have historically used Western
ideas, languages, and teaching methods while ignoring African
perspectives (Davids, 2018). This has led to a situation where African
learners are taught mostly about European history, philosophies, and
scientific methods, while African knowledge systems are seen as less
important.
Decolonialisation challenges this imbalance by promoting African
languages, indigenous knowledge, and local histories in education. For
example, schools can include African literature, traditional healing
methods, and African philosophies like Ubuntu in their curricula (Sium,
Desai & Ritskes, 2012). This shift allows learners to see the value of
HED4804
ASSIGNMENT 01
2025
2025
Develop a glossary of any 5 key terms in philosophy of education in
which you critically engage with and give an in-depth analysis of these
terms. Your glossary compilation will have to also engage in a thoughtful
exploration of the nuanced meanings and implications associated with
each term you have identified, and it also must relate the relevance of
the concepts/key ideas to education in (South) Africa.
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
, HED4804 Assignment 1 (Based on Unit 1)
Education is shaped by philosophical ideas that influence teaching
methods, curriculum design, and the broader purpose of learning. In
South Africa, educational philosophy is deeply connected to historical,
social, and political contexts, especially due to the country’s colonial
and apartheid history. This glossary critically explores five key
philosophical terms—decolonialisation, epistemologies, social justice,
Ubuntu, and emancipation—analyzing their origins, historical context,
and relevance to contemporary South African education.
Decolonialisation in education means removing the influence of
colonial ways of thinking and creating an education system that values
local knowledge and cultures. In many African countries, including
South Africa, schools and universities have historically used Western
ideas, languages, and teaching methods while ignoring African
perspectives (Davids, 2018). This has led to a situation where African
learners are taught mostly about European history, philosophies, and
scientific methods, while African knowledge systems are seen as less
important.
Decolonialisation challenges this imbalance by promoting African
languages, indigenous knowledge, and local histories in education. For
example, schools can include African literature, traditional healing
methods, and African philosophies like Ubuntu in their curricula (Sium,
Desai & Ritskes, 2012). This shift allows learners to see the value of
