Theorising decolonisation in the context of lifelong learning and transnational migration: anti-colonial and anti-racist perspectives

Maitra, S. and Guo, S. (2019) Theorising decolonisation in the context of lifelong learning and transnational migration: anti-colonial and anti-racist perspectives. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 38(1), pp. 5-19. (doi: 10.1080/02601370.2018.1561533)

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Abstract

In the age of transnational migration, the practices and policies of lifelong learning in many immigrant-receiving countries continue to be impacted by the cultural and discursive politics of colonial legacies. Drawing on a wide range of anti-colonial and anti-racist scholarship, we argue for an approach to lifelong learning that aims to decolonise the ideological underpinnings of colonial relations of rule, especially in terms of its racialised privileging of ‘whiteness’ and Eurocentrism. In the context of lifelong learning, decolonisation would achieve four important purposes. First, it would illustrate the nexus between knowledge, power, and colonial narratives by interrogating how knowledge-making is a fundamental aspect of ‘coloniality’. Second, decolonisation would entail challenging the hegemony of western knowledge, education, and credentials and upholding a ‘multiculturalism of knowledge’ that is inclusive and responsive to the cultural needs and values of transnational migrants. Third, decolonisation would lead to the need for planning and designing learning curricula as well as institutionalised pedagogy based on non-western knowledge systems and epistemic diversity. The final emphasis is on the urgency to decolonise our minds as lifelong learners, practitioners and policy-makers in order to challenge the passivity, colonisation, and marginalisation of learners both in classrooms and workplaces.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Maitra, Professor Srabani
Authors: Maitra, S., and Guo, S.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Social Justice Place and Lifelong Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy
Journal Name:International Journal of Lifelong Education
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:0260-1370
ISSN (Online):1464-519X
Published Online:04 February 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor and Francis Group
First Published:First published in International Journal of Lifelong Education 38(1): 5-19
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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