A modest ambitious proposal: envisioning an education system that works for everyone

Abstract

Paulo Freire, the acclaimed Educational Historian, Philosopher, and Activist is credited with the observation that “Any situation in which some individuals prevent others from engaging in the process of inquiry is one of violence. The means used are not important; to alienate human beings from their own decision-making is to change them into objects.” In the introductory paper A modest ambitious proposal: envisioning an education system that works for everyone, the authors Kornelija Mrnjaus and Jason Laker discuss the history of progressive education movements and the emergence of human-capital theory as the prevailing educational framework, critically arguing that even with the best of intentions such models are inherently limiting to students, communities, and nations alike. Accordingly, they challenge the persistent notion that inclusive education is inefficient or economically prohibitive, and propose a vision of education that works for everyone and which provides exponential returns for students, communities, nations, and the world.