George Dei’s Revision of the School System

In George Dei’s article on education, “Schooling as Community: Race, Schooling and the Education of African Youth”, he suggest a concept he calls community schooling. He argues extensively that this is the solution to the discrepancy between black and white students and their success rates. He defines it as an inclusion of all aspects of a student’s life, rather than just the educational processes. Dei says that one of the most important aspects to focus on to achieve a more diverse success rate in students is their culture, background and identity. He also stresses though, that as important as the community is to the process of education, one must remember that it is not actually the community’s responsibility to educate its youth. “While no one
would dispute the important role of parents and communities in schools, it is a far cry to ask for such responsibility and then slip into pathologizing or blaming these families and communities for larger systemic problems” (Dei, 350). He suggests that rather than consider black students to be troubled or less likely to succeed because of their background, to instead consider the power issues that can be found in educational structures and consider the processes by which they are coming to the conclusion that this particular student body is a troubled one.

            Dei discusses the concept of whiteness and how it affects all aspects of the schooling experience as well. This concept has become the supposed norm and students who do not adhere to its values are thus considered to be special cases. Alternatively, the other issue these students face is one of colourblindness. Teachers believing this a more objective take to the classroom are actually further implementing the difference between white and black students, as this is again a reflection of whiteness. While this may seem like a more positive approach than one of whiteness, Dei is correct in his suggestion that it is not. To treat the students as a single body while the idea of whiteness remains the norm is a dangerous idea for any student who does not adhere to the “white” ideal. Thus, creating the need for a more cultural based educational system. According to Dei’s article, African Canadian students have a lower high school completion rate and a higher drop out rate compared to white students and it isn’t because they lack ability but rather they are treated the same way that more privileged or more stable students are. Thus, to do away with these concepts of whiteness and colourblindness would leave more room for teachers and administrators to consider more proactive approaches for students. Dei lists a few ways to improve success rates. He stresses the importance of encouraging individual and cultural identity, along with revising “the macrosocial politics of education” (Dei, 352).

Most pointedly, Dei stresses the importance of making education inclusive of all aspects of its student’s lives, while not blaming their outside influences for the issues or troubles they may bring to school with them. The incorporation of their individual identities allows a teacher to see the individual student as just that, not simply another body in the classroom. By acknowledging the different ethnicities and identities of the students, it creates a more open and welcoming environment for everybody, not just the students who adhere to the set norms.

Work Cited:

Sefa Dei, G. J. (2007)"Schooling as Community: Race, Schooling, and the Education of African Youth." Journal of Black Studies 38(3), 346-66.