UKZN Lecture Notes on Neoliberalism and Early Childhood Education PDF

Contextual realities, frameworks and processes (EDPY325) Week 8 | Lecture 2 UKZN INSPIRING  Discussion/Questions A new policy has been introduced at a childcare centre emphasising standardised testing for children as young as three. The centre's direct...

Contextual realities, frameworks and processes (EDPY325) Week 8 | Lecture 2 UKZN INSPIRING  Discussion/Questions A new policy has been introduced at a childcare centre emphasising standardised testing for children as young as three. The centre's director explains that this change is necessary to ensure accountability and performance-based funding from the government. The teachers are concerned that the focus on testing might take time away from play-based learning, which they believe is more developmentally appropriate. Question: How does this scenario reflect neoliberal ideals, and what are the potential impacts of such policies on early childhood education and children’s development? UKZN INSPIRING  Neoliberalism and early childhood education The paper examines the threat of neoliberalism and provides suggestions for intervention. Definition: “anti-democratic force that gives the corporate elite of global capitalism power of nation states”(Abendroth & Portfilio, 2015, p.xii). It can also be defined as an approach favouring free-market capitalism with no barriers. The author reveals that neoliberal policies target education because they can teach critical thinking. According to Chomsky, neoliberal policies have turned and continue to turn people into consumerism, passive and apathetic. Neoliberalism focuses on standardisation and accountability (e.g. ANA) UKZN INSPIRING  Neoliberalism and early childhood education… Scholars like Henry Giroux have critiqued neoliberalism as a system that creates employable graduates who are indirectly taught to politically and intellectually conform. Thinking is no longer valued, students are taught to be “job- ready zombies” (Hill, 2015, p. 5). Universities constantly constantly attack specific courses, e.g. the recent attack on CRT in the U.S. Watch Student learning is only measured by standardised tests. (performative curriculum). Institutions of higher learning produce particular graduates who do not question and operate within the framework of “functional stupidity” (Alvessson and Spicer, 2016). UKZN INSPIRING  Neoliberalism and early childhood education… The curriculum is designed to facilitate “teaching to the test”. ECE is not constructed as a space for positive thinking and working with children from their strengths, the ECE is designed along the lines of a performative curriculum. Chomsky states that as educators, we are privileged, privilege yields opportunities, and opportunities confer responsibilities. The author argues that we need resistance because it is necessary. UKZN INSPIRING  Neoliberalism and early childhood education… What should happen; Leaders in schools should encourage teachers to better themselves and attend conferences to learn about their work more. Teachers should question decisions and many other things in the schooling environment. Professionalisation is good for ECE but comes with “discretionary decision making”. This should, therefore be used to challenge standardisation and many others. According to Freire and Chomsky, education intellectuals have the potential to effect change. Successful change will emanate from the collaborative effort. Each individual will focus on what he/she is stronger on. UKZN INSPIRING  Discussion/Questions A family cannot afford to send their child to a high-quality childcare centre because of rising fees. They opt for a lower- cost service with fewer resources and less qualified staff. The mother explains, "We do our best with what we have. It’s just the reality of things.” Question: How does neoliberalism contribute to inequalities in access to early childhood education, and what ethical considerations should be addressed to create a more equitable system for all families? UKZN INSPIRING