Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy and modern rural education

The article elaborates on the leading theoretical concepts of critical pedagogy in a modern rural school as a new philosophy of education aimed at developing students' critical literacy and reflection. Based on the analysis of the pedagogical ideas of the criticism of the Brazilian education reformer Paulo Freire, the authors emphasize the necessity for their implementation in educational institutions taking into account modern challenges – prevention of discrimination on a wide range of grounds- (cyber) bullying, ethnicity-based humiliation under the conditions of globalization, etc. The following methods were used in the research: bibliographic search, analytical, and historical-logical, making it possible to study scientific resources (philosophical, sociological, pedagogical), media resources on the problems of criticism and critical pedagogy, as well as to present the historical and pedagogical experience of using Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy through the prism of a modern rural school in various aspects – inclusion, intercultural education, gender, and racial equality, etc. The researchers have identified several aspects confirming the outstanding educator’s support for rural education, namely: he developed the program for the elimination of illiteracy in Latin America, paid much attention to teaching literacy to Brazilian peasants, and led the campaign for the elimination of illiteracy in rural areas, the “pedagogy of the oppressed” is aimed at the struggle for justice and freedom, which he also tried to cover in rural education; Freire’s works trace the role of the teacher in implementing critical pedagogy aimed at active dialogue and cooperation with students, providing quality educational services in rural schools. The dominant thesis of the study is the ideas of Descartes’ critical rationalism – “I can doubt everything.” Effective methods of developing students’ critical consciousness and critical thinking in a modern educational institution are identified. The peculiarities of using critical pedagogy in rural areas to ensure all students’ equal rights to receive quality education are emphasized.