Creating Experiences of Dignity for the Other in the Classroom

Abstract In 2023, we had a 110 million people living as forcibly displaced persons in the world (United Nations Refugee Agency, 2023). Of these, 43.3 million were children under the age of 18 years. Migration (both forced and other) has resulted in an influx of “foreign” children into school classrooms across the globe, presenting many educators with a new task—that of teaching the Other. Now, more than ever before, there is a need to assist people to cultivate an understanding of the self in relation to the Other in a manner that upholds the values of dignity, equality, and freedom for all people (Republic of South Africa, 1996; United Nations, 1973). This article presents a living theory for educators. It constructs a new lens through which educators can view the world, analyse their own teaching practice, and take individual action towards dismantling the canon of inequality that exists within their classrooms. The new lens beckons a deep and meaningful engagement with the question: “How can I create experiences of dignity for the Other in my classroom?”