Popular Education for Girl-Centred Programming



The learning spiral of the popular education method was employed in every session in order to identify shared experiences, to engage in critical analysis, and to collectively discuss and develop solutions and alternative actions.

Each session was designed with the goal of involving the intellect, the emotions, and the promotion of action-based solutions for a holistic approach to program delivery.

~ Nabila El-Ahmed,

St. Joseph Immigrant Women's Centre, Hamilton

 

 

 

Popular education is a great way to do girls’ programming that starts with girls experiences, and helps them to put into perspective what is going on in their lives, and helps them to be active participants in making changes in their lives, communities, and beyond.

 

The key to popular education is that the programming should centre on the girls; they should take the lead in naming what activities they want to do, and in raising issues that are important to them. The focus is on what they are experiencing and wondering about and what they find cool. Let them lead with the content and you create the container – the space, the resources, the support and the process! Take their interests and concerns as your inspiration to create workshops. Girls can also be encouraged to plan and lead workshops by themselves that demonstrated their special skills or hobbies while you provide support as the facilitator.

 

You can use these aspects of popular education in your own girls’ program. Here are some examples of how:

 

  • Start with the experience and knowledge of the participants through `get to know you` activities and through activities that encourage girls to tell stories about what is important in their lives (for example, sharing troubles girls face).

  • Identify patterns by noticing what themes are repeated in girls’ experiences as they share their stories. Explore these topics (for example, noting that everyone in the group is mentioning being effected by some form of bullying and girl cliques).

  • Do your homework! Bring in information or guest speakers based on the questions and needs of the group. In order to get girls thinking, ask questions about how situations related to these topics have come to exist. (For example, why are girls in competition with each other, and why do girls think they are each other’s enemies?). If girls have questions work together as a group to find the answer. The main idea is for new information is introduced because of the girls’ curiosity and needs, not because you wanted to teach them something you thought they should learn.

  • Based on what you have shared and learned you have probably noticed some things that are not working the way you would like, or some things that are great and you would like to see more of it in girls lives - this is the point! Seize the opportunity to do something! Strategize and plan for action. Think of the options that you and the group have for making the situation better; brainstorm and think through different ideas. (For example, can think of different ways you can effectively intervene when there are cliques forming or bullying is happening?)

  • Apply what has been learned and take action. Let the girls come up with strategies for change themselves; although you can suggest actions if they are stuck; such as a letter writing campaign, organizing a workshop, making a ‘zine or talking to friends. (For example, decide not to be mean to other girls and tell your friends about it; create a ‘zine about why girls should support each other!)

 

The key to a popular education approach is to be flexible and adaptable – it is not a step-by-step method! You will jump back and forth between different parts of the spiral model. For example, when adding new information to an activity you may uncover a new aspect of your participants’ experiences and want to explore that; you may even want to switch gears and do a full session on another topic that is raised. Be flexible and work according to the needs of your group.

 

For additional information on Popular Education, visit our Online Resource Centre