Theoretical Frameworks and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

1 International Journal of Education and Research Vol. 3 No. 2 February 2015 677 Theoretical Frameworks and Indigenous Knowledge Systems Subject Area: Philosophy of Education Joe M. Mwinzi, PhD Department of Educational Foundations South Eastern Kenya University 170 - 90200 Kitui Kenya Email: Cell phone: 0722668516 Abstract The crux of this paper is that the role of philosophy in education is not just a matter of shaping the solidity of pertinent ideas, technical skills, cherished values, or expected attitudes that adhere to an exact paradigm or that conforms to a set of ratified methodological rules.

2 Instead, an influential philosophy in education has to enhance and adapt a continuum which is apposite in its nature, structure, and essence. An apt philosophy enhances concrete education by means of substantiating such education and shaping it within a specified theory. The implication is that such a theory is necessary to define education in terms of its nature, structure, and essence. A philosophical attempt to shape education using a Theoretical framework is comparatively the rationale of this paper.

3 As such, theory plays an important role in determining the nature of educational discourse, including teacher education in a relative perspective. It is therefore necessary to determine the place of theory in the process of education practice, and also ascertain the implication that theory as reflected in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (Mwinzi, 2012:79). A crucial factor in the Indigenous Knowledge Systems rests on the reality of existentialism, communalism, holisticism, preparationism, perennialism, and functionalism in African rationality.

4 Keywords: philosophy, education theory, education practice, Frameworks , Indigenous , Knowledge Systems , logical empiricism, critical rationalism, critical theory, existentialism, communalism, holisticism, preparationism, perennialism, and functionalism. 1. Theoretical Frameworks An imperative purpose of philosophy in education is to generate theories and adapt them to estimate and augment education practice. As such, philosophy provides a platform of Theoretical thinking to make education more germane and accurately practical.

5 A wide reflection about reality, thoughts, and ideas denotes a theory. A theory may occur when someone sees dark clouds outside and concludes, or theorizes that it is going to rain because of the clouds are dark. This inclusive ISSN: 2201-6333 (Print) ISSN: 2201-6740 (Online) 678 inference on pedagogical opinions and notions may portray facets such as cultural theory of education which considers how education occurs within the totality of a specified culture, including all the realms of a given society.

6 An inherent outcome of theory within a cultural context is pragmatic in character and abstract in nature. The pragmatic and abstract nature of theory defines communalism, holisticism, preparationism, perennialism, and functionalism as the base of African thought which is perceived in this paper as Indigenous Knowledge Systems . The primary purpose of theorizing is to achieve a better understanding of a human enterprise in terms of its empirical and definite aspects. In education practice, a theory gyrates around topics such as, penology, andragogy, curriculum, learning, policy, organization, pedagogical leadership etc.

7 Similarly, educational theory is influenced by a myriad of disciplines such as history, sociology, philosophy, psychology etc. In principle, a theory in education seeks to know, understand, and prescribe apt practices of pedagogy. Kombo and Tromp (2006:56) hold that a theory is a reasoned statement or groups of statements supported by evidence to explain an event or a phenomenon. The term theory refers to the general and abstract principles of facts (Mwinzi, 2012:126). A theory may consist of hypothesis that has been verified by observation or experiment, or a systematic thinking defined by coherence in thoughts (Randolph, 2009:3).

8 An interaction with theories or ideological constructs enables philosophers to evaluate the impact of human enterprises such as education practice. This is why the concept of theory in the teaching and learning is incessantly influential and also indispensable in restructuring of educational activities to match existing philosophical tenets. The rationale which delineates the essence of this paper is an attempt to respond to the question: what is the role of theory in pedagogical events in relation to the fundamental tenets of thought?

9 As such, meaningful education practice is defined by the capacity to utilize more abstraction in thinking and reasoning to meet the prevailing needs within a specified geographical region, and later projected to synchronize the global precincts. A theory must shape education practice, and be orientated towards Indigenous Knowledge Systems . The current situation in Africa is that theory has been given a nominal role in defining practice in education (Shouler, 2008:243). Based on this discrepancy, it is the role of this paper to explore the dynamics of how Theoretical Frameworks can be aptly interrelated with Indigenous Knowledge in an attempt to refocus attention towards better participation in academic activities.

10 The value of relating Theoretical Frameworks and Indigenous Knowledge is the essence of African perspective of thought which includes ethnophilosophical view, existential slant, political insight, and formal philosophy. These abstract perspectives of African philosophy are solidified by the notions of communalism, holisticism, preparationism, perennialism, and functionalism (Mwinzi & Higgs, 2013:128). It follows necessarily that an ideal education in Africa must be communal, holistic, perennial, functional, and prepare leaners to uphold the essence of societal aspirations.