The Significance of Ubuntu Pedagogy: Transforming Teaching and Learning at the University of the Free State in South Africa

This paper aimed to draw attention to the significance of Ubuntu pedagogy in promoting a transformative teaching and learning environment for undergraduate second-year political science at the University of the Free State, South Africa.Thus, the paper employed qualitative inquiry by adopting Participatory Action Research (PAR) to interact and engage students actively in their learning processes. To make this study successful and address the aim/objective, a focus group of 8-12 students, referred to as co-researchers across different educational levels in the political science learning environment, was utilized as a means of conducting tool. This was done to ensure the credibility of the research process. Furthermore, the centrality of students and their direct involvement in the research process is important for their voices and the effectiveness of coordinated learning that can enhance students’ analytical abilities and collective learning. PAR could also help reveal students’ perspectives and perceptions on coordinated learning that aligns with the aim of the study. This paper found that a coordinated team among political science students expressing Ubuntu application and deep-rooted humanization in a learning environment is limited. In this regard, the non-existence of a coordinated team that reflects Ubuntu principles of solidarity and cooperation in learning environments contributes negatively to the effectiveness of education. Moreover, the interpretation of the results where the Ubuntu pedagogy would foster more inclusive, communal learning environments among political science students utilized the lens of Ubuntu to understand the perspectives of students from the viewpoint that truly human beings create a relationship with other persons, revealing true identity through community interaction. Keywords: Ubuntu Pedagogy, Transformation, Coordination, Participatory Action Research, Emancipation