Educentric

Should students be held legally responsible for bullying in schools?
Is it appropriate for the government to limit the freedom of speech to its citizens?
These were the 2 questions discussed (in English) by children of the age of 10 to 13 years old (Grade 5, 6, 7) in an online public debate. In a time when critical thinking, creativity, and oracy skills are neglected, even absent in mainstream educational systems, it is refreshing to see that some schools such as Saulės gojus still value these competencies by providing a safe environment for both students and teachers to express themselves. It feels great to be part of such a team.
I believe that children from the age of 5 years old can have an opinion on the most serious topics as long it’s approached with care and sensitivity. Parents were truly “proud”, “positively shocked’’, or “blown away” by their children’s ability to think critically on such complex issues and also by their facility to communicate their opinion in such eloquent manner. It was indeed impressive, and I believe most children can achieve such a level when provided the adequate educational space and tools to make them grow academically and socially. Let’s hope for a positive change in our educational system, not only in Lithuania, but on a global scale.

📍Kristina Garalyte, Director of Institute of Asian and Transcultural Studies at Vilnius University, talks about Kamal:

It started with 'no way' and it ended with 'one more time Mr Kamal !'. One of those educational moments I feel most like myself and so do these kids. Let's hope that this ongoing lockdown won't affect too much their social skills.

While France is attempting to delegitimize various fields of research like postcolonial/ decolonial studies, intersectionality, or decolonial feminist studies, under the pretext that it is a threat to French identity, Lithuanian universities are broadening their curriculum and are embracing progressive and radical scholarship.
I was recently invited by Dr Ilona Michailovic from the VU Faculty of Communication to give a lecture to the international Masters's class students, currently studying 'Discrimination, Violence and Human Rights. The lecture entitled ‘ The Decolonial mindset: We are not told. We tell’ (abstract in the comment section) covered everything I wouldn’t be allowed to talk about in French academia: critical race theories, coloniality/decoloniality, transnational solidarity politics, cultures of resistance, and liberation. The Q&A session that followed the lecture clearly showed how much these discussions are needed and I’m happy to see that Vilnius University is actively participating in this crucial global discussion.

📍Kamal is an educator, traveller, activist, and public speaker around the themes of critical race theory, culture education,, identity, and diversity.
📍He is currently based in Vilnius where he works as a teacher and as an independent lecturer.
📍He is also the owner of the Language cloud, a creative language school for children and adults.

Welcome to Educentric. This is a personal page focused on education, equity, and social justice. Happy to connect and collaborate with like-minded people.