In Freirean Critical Pedagogy, why is literacy seen as a political act?

• A. Literacy improves standardized test scores across populations
• B. Literacy is a neutral skill with no social implications
• C. Literacy is primarily about decoding symbols efficiently
• D. Literacy enables critical consciousness, enabling individuals to critique oppressive structures and take action to transform society

Answer: (D)

In Freirean Critical Pedagogy, literacy is a political act because it goes beyond simply decoding symbols to building critical awareness about how power operates in society and about what it takes to change it. Literacy becomes praxis—the ongoing reflection and action on the world—so learners can read their social reality, recognize oppression, and participate in collective efforts to transform it. This view treats literacy as a tool for empowerment and liberation, not as a neutral or purely technical skill. When people become literate in this sense, they gain the capacity to critique oppressive structures and take informed action to reshape society.