Life sketch of Paulo Freire

 Paulo Freire was a teacher, educationist and philoso pher. In the city of Latin America's largest and most populated countries, in a city of 'Recife' (Brazil), he was born in 19 september 1921. In 1959, the Freire took a doctorate degree from the 'Recife University' and was appointed at the history and philosophy of education. In 1959, the first book of Freire was published in Portuguese language, which was published in English by the name of Education as Practice of Freedom' in English. So far, their approach was humanist and reformist, but in the meantime, like Latin America, there was a lot of disterbance (turmoil) in Brazil. The multinational companies were robbing Brazil by adopting imperialist policies. Dictatorship was required to suppress the public's rebellion, when the risk of revolution was generated, the public was provided some relief.

 One of the earliest changing governments in Brazil was the government of 'Janio Quadros' from October 1960 to August 1961. When Quadros tried to work in national interest, the Brazilian oligarchy and American imperialism removed him as well. At that time Vice President was 'Joao Goulart'. After the quadros, Brazilian reins came in the hands of the Goulart, and Goulart did many public interest works, in which the 'National Literacy Campaign' was the very important. The Freire had taken a part in this campaign. Under this campaign, Freire got the opportunity to work among the public.

 Under the National Literacy Campaign, Freire got the opportunity to go to different parts of the country and work between the public. Freire saw more closely and analyzed the different forms of oppression (Exploitation). Considering the relationship between the public and the ruling class from education, he reached the conclusion that 'education is also politics'. And as the politics is a class based, education is also class based. Therefore, education and its method should be different from the education of dominant people, whose purpose is to maintain the system of dominance and harassment. According to the Freire "Education of the oppressed should be intended to eliminate the harassment, and free them from it."

 Goulart was also overthrown, followed by political repression throughout Brazil. Democratic rights and civil liberties were abolished. Many people were jailed and tortured, then they were deported from the country. Freire was also among them. Friere wrote the 'pedagogy of the oppressed' during exile. After returning from exile, he started working as Education Secretary.

 Freire was influenced by the philosophy of Jesus' life. Freire was also highly influenced by many great people such as Sartre, Erich Fromm, Louis Althusser, Mao, Martin Luther King, and Che Guevara, etc. Friere was highly influenced by Frantz Fanon's book 'The Wretched of the Earth.' Friere attempted to integrate Christianity and Marxism. Friere had a very important role in strengthening Marxism in Brazilian politics.

 Freire devoted all her time to education-related reforms. Freire died on 2 May 1997 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Freire's major books:

  • Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 1970
  • Cultural Action for Freedom, 1970
  • Education for Critical consciousnass, 1973
  • Education: The Practice of Freedom, 1976
  • Pedagogy in Process, 1978
  • The Politics of Education, 1985 etc.