“I’m Actually a Female Empowerer”: Student Perspectives on a Critical Pedagogical Approach to Re/Engage At-Risk Females in School

Abstract

Internationally, there is increasing concern regarding the disengagement of marginalized students, particularly girls, from the formal education system, particularly since Covid-19. Students experiencing oppression/marginalization within urban education systems are considered at-risk from poor attendance, early school leaving, underperformance, low self-confidence, and social exclusion. In considering Paolo Freire’s conceptualization of education as “the practice of freedom,” this paper presents findings from an intervention, the Female Empowerment Group, a critical pedagogical approach to re/engaging at-risk female students in school. The Female Empowerment Group created a space for at-risk female students to explore complex contemporary issues shaping the intersectionality of their identities as marginalized, feminized, and politicized citizens in/outside school. Drawing on findings from a mixed methods design (quantitative surveys (n = 21 girls), qualitative interviews (n = 9 students, 7 teachers, 2 parents), Ketso (n = 9 students), this study presents the power of critical pedagogy for empowering and re/engaging at-risk students in school. Findings illustrate the powerful impact of a critical pedagogical approach for empowering students, enhancing self-confidence, motivation, empathy, and engagement with issues impacting their lives. Reported outcomes included more positive relationships with adults/peers, increased re/engagement in class and enhanced sense of belonging in school.