Banking Concept of Education

Brian Bass

Expository Writing

Professor Habershaw

4.11.03

4.1

Paulo Freire’s essay on the “Banking Concept of Education” is an interesting composition about the flaws of the educational system.  Defined by Freire, the “banking” concept is “the scope of action allowed to the students extends only as far as receiving, filing, and storing the deposits” (Freire 260).  Freire believes what the teacher tells the student is the defining source of information for the student.  He states “the teacher is the subject of the learning process, while the pupils are mere objects” (Freire 261).

I agree with Paulo Freire’s idea that the teacher is given too much authority and power in the classroom.  If a teacher is feeding their students the wrong information, then all the students now have the incorrect perspective.  Also, a teacher can add a bias or slant toward his/her information that can cloud a students mind.  I believe whether or not I was conscious of it or not, I have been “banked” by my educators.  To a varying degree, all my ideas and knowledge are a culmination of my teachers influence on me.  Knowledge is a cycle, so the understanding’s my teachers have taught me have come from their previous teachers and so on.  At many times in my life the educational system has been an irritating process of memorization and other nonsense that ultimately becomes only ephemeral knowledge.  So basically I agree with Freire’s scorn for the “banking” method of education.