Answer to Question #323456 in English for nita

Question

Write an essay in responding to the following question: “How can the concept of ubuntu

be used to accommodate and teach multicultural disadvantaged learners in your

classroom?”

Answer 1

African values have not been fully incorporated in modern education systems. For example, in teacher education the curriculum has not been influenced by African values such as Ubuntu. Ubuntu as a philosophy that can assist teachers to manage classrooms effectively, as it encourages working together amongst people in various settings. Ubuntu is founded on three pillars, namely, interpersonal values, intrapersonal values and environmental values. These pillars signify regard for others, the self and the environment. This is a conceptual paper that proposes the infusion of an African perspective into classroom management which currently considers mainly Western principles in creating a conducive learning environment.

Practicing Ubuntu unlocks the capacity of human culture in which both teacher and students' express compassion, reciprocity, dignity, humanity and mutuality in the interests of learning, building and maintaining the learning community with communality. Ubuntu as a philosophy that can assist teachers to manage classrooms effectively, as it encourages working together amongst people in various settings. Ubuntu is founded on three pillars, namely, interpersonal values, intrapersonal values and environmental values. Ubuntu, in this sense, embodies the concept of mutual understanding and the active appreciation of the value of human difference. Ubuntu includes values such as love, tolerance, peace and compassion.

Nelson Mandela describes Ubuntu as a philosophy constituting a universal way of life, which underpins an open society. The philosophy invites the question as to how it could possibly ‘accommodate other cultures’ in efforts to recognize our collective humanity. We argue that the Ubuntu notion that ‘I am because we are’ can be developed into an ideal way of identity and belonging in a classroom. The wisdom of Ubuntu lies in the recognition that it is not possible to build healthy learning environments unless the human dignity of all members of that learning community is safeguarded. The philosophy does not try to create a homogenous culture, but ‘a human culture’ that promotes respect, harmony, love, sharing and community. We argue that when in relationship with others, students are given the space to negotiate their own identities that allow them to belong in a better way.

A human culture is about relationships of care and obligation. The Ubuntu philosophy implies that the teacher looks at whether what they are doing enables or empowers the students to help improve them. It means that if students are treated well and seen the same way, they are likely to perform better. Practising Ubuntu unlocks the capacity of human culture in which both teacher and students’ express compassion, reciprocity, dignity, humanity and mutuality in the interests of learning, building and maintaining the learning community with communality. However, there is no point in attending to the principles of Ubuntu merely for the sake of their recognition alone. Still, we also have to internalize these principles and put them into action. The teacher and her students must find values which they must commit to promoting and protecting to realize human culture.