Decolonizing Education:
Decolonizing Education by Embracing Deschooling
A Pathway to Freedom and Authentic Learning
“My children are their own territories and if I’m not careful I will colonize them”
Akilah Richards
In a traditional educational system, the idea of "deschooling" may seem counterintuitive. After all, we've been conditioned to believe that structured classrooms, rigid schedules, and standardized curricula are the only ways to ensure a successful education. However, when homeschooling, we look at the child as a whole human, with preferences, learning styles, and passions independent of systemic education which challenges this notion and advocates for a process called deschooling, which is a foundational step in homeschooling with head and heart. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of deschooling, its benefits, and how it can unlock a pathway to freedom and authentic learning, and raising children who do not need to recover from childhood.
What is Deschooling?
Deschooling is not about abandoning education; rather, it is a deliberate process of decolonization, unlearning, and reevaluating our assumptions about education. Coined by Ivan Illich in his influential book "Deschooling Society," the term refers to the liberation of individuals from the institutional constraints of traditional schooling. It encourages individuals to break free from the school mindset and embrace alternative forms of learning and demonstrating knowledge that prioritizes personal interests, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation.Deschooling is not a free-for-all. Rather, it is a short-term adjustment period between attending school and homeschooling. It's a time to decompress from the oppression of the school experience and mindset, an opportunity to allow yourself and your child to find autonomy and self-governance, and live and learn more naturally. It's a chance to discover your child'spassions, learning styles, and natural rhyme and rhythm. Deschooling offers the time to slow down, be still, dream, visit, learn, plan, and prepare as you begin to explore the new family dynamic that comes with homeschooling. This process of decolonization is as, if not more, important for the parent as it is for the child. All homeschool parents and children should allow themselves to undergo this process, and it should not be confused with unschooling, which is a specific style of homeschooling.
Benefits of Deschooling:
Rediscovering Passion and Self-directed Learning: Deschooling allows individuals to reconnect with their natural love for learning. By granting autonomy to pursue their passions and interests, individuals are more likely to engage deeply in their chosen subjects and parents are more likely to better understand what their children's passions, natural rhythms, and learning styles are. As parents rediscover the concept that learning happens all the time they will develop into parent educators who are adaptive, observant, and breaking systems traumas embedded within the education system.
Lifelong Learning and Curiosity: Deschooling recognizes that education is a lifelong journey rather than a fixed destination. It instills a sense of curiosity, a love for learning, and an intrinsic motivation to seek knowledge beyond the confines of formal education. Deschooling is not a process that happens once at the beginning of a homeschool journey, it should be continuous for parents and students alike.
Self-reflection and Embracing Mistakes: Deschooling requires individuals to reflect on their own beliefs, question preconceived notions about education, and be open to making mistakes. It is through these processes that personal growth and learning can occur.
10 strategies to get you started:
Deschooling is a personal and unique journey, and the process can vary from individual to individual. No two people, even within the same household will have the same deschooling experience.
Begin by questioning assumptions: Reflect on your beliefs and assumptions about education. This self-reflection is an essential first step in embracing a deschooling mindset. WHY? Becomes the important question here.
Do not glorify busy: Glorifying busyness can lead to stress, exhaustion, and an imbalance in life, the school system notoriously glorifies busyness and rigor in an attempt to portray functionality. Deschooling is not the time to fill your students' plate, this is the time to empty it, allow decompression, and watch as your child learns to fill their own time. At first, it may look like a lot of TV, video games, and late nights but in time that will change. Healthy children learn, healthy children seek knowledge.
Rather than glorify busy do:
Prioritize self-care for you and your student: Self-care is a learned behavior many Black children do not see modeled.
Practice mindful time management: Instead of trying to cram as much as possible into your schedule, focus on managing your time mindfully. Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency, and create a realistic schedule that allows for breaks and downtime. Avoid multitasking, as it can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress and you want to teach and model positive productivity as the standard for your homeschool.
Cultivate a balanced lifestyle: Strive for a balanced lifestyle that includes time for work, relationships, hobbies, relaxation, and personal growth. Allocate time for activities and people that bring you fulfillment and happiness. Remember that being busy does not equate to being productive or fulfilled.
Practice presence and mindfulness: Be present at the moment, whether you are working or engaging in leisure activities. Mindfulness can help you focus on the task at hand, reduce stress, and enhance the quality of your experiences. Homeschool often disrupts the balance between relationships between child and parent as the parent takes the roles of most adults in the school. Developing a mindfulness practice is essential to maintaining positive parental-child relationships.
Foster meaningful connections: Prioritize nurturing relationships with loved ones, friends, and supportive communities. Invest time and energy into meaningful connections that bring joy, support, and inspiration to you and your children's lives. Remember that relationships and human connections are essential aspects of a fulfilling homeschool journey.
Embrace self-directed learning: Take the time to allow children to explore interests, passions, and curiosities. Allow the freedom to learn without the constraints of a predetermined curriculum or outcomes, let them go down the rabbit hole. Self-directed learning can occur through various means, such as reading books, watching documentaries, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in meaningful experiences.
Seek alternative learning opportunities: Look beyond traditional classrooms for learning experiences. Explore workshops, community education programs, or local interest groups. Engaging with diverse learning opportunities exposes you to different perspectives and enables you to broaden your knowledge base.
Embrace real-life experiences: Connect your learning to real-life experiences. For example, if you're interested in history, visit historical sites, and museums, or participate in historical reenactments. If you're interested in science, conduct experiments, join science clubs, or volunteer at research institutes. By incorporating real-life experiences, you enrich your learning and make it more meaningful.
Embrace failure and celebrate mistakes: Deschooling requires a shift in mindset, including being open to making mistakes and learning from them. Embrace failure as a valuable learning opportunity and celebrate the growth that comes from it. Recognizing that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process enables you to approach challenges with resilience and a willingness to continue learning.
Set goals and create a learning plan: As your family begins to transition from the deschooling phase, it is a good time to collaborate with your children to set personal goals and create individual learning plans and a homeschool mission statement. This plan can be flexible and adaptable, allowing you to prioritize what matters most to you and your students. If you take adequate time to deschool you will have a better insight into who your children are, what they are passionate about, how they learn, and what brings them joy. (Hint: What do they do when given autonomy and no one is watching?)
Don’t Stress!: Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint. Your child is not in competition or “behind”. They are simply where they are and through your dedication and love for them you and your children will create a plan that allows them to grow, flourish and meet their goals.
Deschooling is the initial step in challenging the traditional norms of education and offers a liberating pathway toward authentic and meaningful learning experiences. By embracing the deschooling process, individuals can tap into their inherent curiosity, pursue their passions, and develop a lifelong love for learning. It is a valuable approach that empowers individuals to take ownership of their education, cultivate critical thinking skills, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. So, dare to deschool and experience the transformative power of education unleashed. Remember, deschooling is not an overnight process; it takes time and patience. Be kind to yourself and allow for flexibility as you navigate this journey. Tailor your deschooling approach to suit the unique needs, interests, and learning (and teaching) style of your family. By taking charge of your education and embracing the freedom that deschooling offers, you can embark on a transformative learning journey that is authentic, meaningful, and empowering.
Cherina Okikilo Shaw, M.S., M.Ed.
