The Sage's Library: Education Untold

The Hidden Curriculum and the Banking System of Education: Why Change is Crucial for Independent Thinkers

Education is often seen as a tool for knowledge transfer, where students absorb information from teachers and later regurgitate it in exams or assignments. However, the educational system is not just about the official curriculum that students are taught. There’s also a less visible “hidden curriculum” at play, and it’s not just the unspoken social norms of school; it’s the broader system that shapes how students think, behave, and engage with the world. This hidden curriculum, along with the “banking” system of education, needs to be critically examined and reformed if we want to encourage independent thinkers capable of challenging ideas and solving complex problems.

What is the Hidden Curriculum?

The hidden curriculum refers to the implicit lessons, values, and behaviors that are taught in schools, outside of formal subjects. This includes aspects like obedience, punctuality, competition, respect for authority, conformity, and a rigid hierarchy between teacher and student. For example, students are often rewarded for sitting still, following instructions, and memorizing facts. These lessons are not written into the syllabus, but they shape how students engage with education and the world.

The Banking System of Education

Paulo Freire’s concept of the banking model of education is a central idea in the critique of traditional schooling. Freire, a Brazilian educator and philosopher, argued that in the banking system, teachers “deposit” information into the minds of passive students, who are expected to memorize and repeat the information without critically analyzing it or questioning it. This process reinforces a top-down structure, where students are not seen as active participants in their learning but as mere receivers of knowledge.

Freire states, “Education thus becomes an act of depositing, in which the students are the depositories and the teacher is the depositor. Instead of communicating, the teacher issues communiqués and makes deposits which the students patiently receive, memorize, and repeat.” (Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 1970)

Why Do These Systems Need to Change?

1. Lack of Critical Thinking The hidden curriculum and banking system discourage critical thinking. When students are conditioned to obey rules without question and are taught to accept facts as absolute, they miss out on the opportunity to engage with ideas critically. Education should encourage students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think independently. By focusing on rote memorization and conformity, students are denied the skills needed to think critically about the world around them.
2. Disempowerment and Passivity Students trained in a banking system of education may feel powerless and passive in their learning experiences. They may not see the relevance of their education, nor develop the necessary skills for innovation. By contrast, when students are encouraged to actively explore and discuss ideas, they become more empowered, not just in their learning but also in their capacity to affect change in the world.
3. Creativity Stifling The hidden curriculum and banking system of education create a classroom atmosphere where creativity is often undervalued. Students are rewarded for right answers, rather than for innovative thinking or problem-solving. This atmosphere limits the development of creative and entrepreneurial minds, which are essential in today’s rapidly changing world.
4. Reinforcement of Inequality Freire’s critique also highlights how the banking system perpetuates inequalities in education. Students from marginalized groups often find themselves at a disadvantage in traditional classrooms where their lived experiences and knowledge are not valued. The hierarchical nature of the system also reinforces power imbalances, with teachers maintaining control and students having little agency over their learning. This further entrenches social inequities.

What Needs to Change?

To support independent thinkers, we need to overhaul both the hidden curriculum and the banking system of education. Here’s how:

1. Foster Active Participation Instead of teaching by simply depositing information, educators should encourage dialogue, exploration, and debate. Allowing students to express their opinions, ask questions, and participate in decision-making creates an environment where learning becomes a collaborative and dynamic process.
2. Focus on Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Curriculum and teaching methods should prioritize teaching students how to think, not what to think. Problem-based learning, inquiry-based approaches, and project-based learning all encourage students to actively investigate, analyze, and synthesize information, rather than passively receiving knowledge.
3. Encourage Creativity and Innovation Schools should recognize the value of creativity. Instead of only focusing on tests that measure rote memorization, classrooms should provide opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and think outside the box. Creative assignments, such as building models, writing stories, or devising experiments, encourage independent thinking and innovation.
4. Empower Students Education should not be a top-down process. Teachers can encourage empowerment by involving students in the learning process, allowing them to make choices, set goals, and evaluate their progress. This type of self-directed learning builds autonomy and self-confidence, essential traits for future success.
5. Challenge the Status Quo To dismantle the hidden curriculum, it’s essential to critically examine the values and norms perpetuated in the classroom. Educators should question how their teaching practices reinforce certain power dynamics and work toward creating inclusive environments that value diverse voices and experiences.

The Role of Teachers in This Change

Teachers must be at the forefront of this educational transformation. By actively engaging with students and fostering a culture of inquiry, teachers can create classrooms that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and independence. Teachers also need to examine their own biases and teaching practices, ensuring that they are not unintentionally perpetuating the hidden curriculum or banking system.

Conclusion

The banking system of education and the hidden curriculum stifle creativity, critical thinking, and independence—qualities that are essential for success in today’s world. If we want to cultivate independent thinkers who can question, create, and innovate, we must embrace an educational paradigm that empowers students, values creativity, and promotes active participation in learning. By moving away from the traditional, hierarchical model and adopting more student-centered, inquiry-based approaches, we can create classrooms that inspire learners to think for themselves and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

As educators, the responsibility is ours to foster the next generation of critical thinkers. Let’s begin by questioning the systems in place and embracing new ways of teaching and learning.