Can conversational thinking serve as a suitable pedagogical approach for philosophy education in African Schools?

Abstract

This essay investigates whether Conversational Thinking can suitably serve as a pedagogical approach for philosophy education in African schools (primary and secondary levels). We argue that there is a need to introduce and teach philosophy in schools in Africa. Additionally, we argue that it would be apropos to adopt a decolonial approach in developing such curricula, which, among others, could accommodate African approaches to philosophy. We contend that the promotion of African home-grown frameworks, such as Conversational Thinking can serve as an appropriate decolonial strategy for philosophy education in parts of Africa. Our reason is that the proposed philosophy curriculum would train the emerging young generations in Africa to be critical, creative and innovative from African epistemic perspectives. This stems from the fact that Conversational Thinking is a strategy among others that can promote African culture-inspired approaches to knowledge that combine with basic thinking skills to offer truly African forms of epistemic liberation.