Work

Decolonising legal education: A reflective journey from expert blindness to transformative teaching in South African higher education

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This reflective essay traces the personal and professional transformation of a law lecturer navigating the shift from traditional, Eurocentric legal teaching to a decolonised, student-centered approach in South African higher education. Drawing on insights from the Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LTHE) programme, the author critically examines challenges encountered in integrating decolonial theory, reflexivity, and authenticity into curriculum design, pedagogy, and assessment. By situating legal education within broader calls for epistemic justice and institutional transformation, the essay highlights the tensions between established doctrinal teaching and the imperative to co-create critical, socially engaged learning environments. Ultimately, this narrative underscores the potential of reflective practice to catalyse both personal growth and systemic change in pursuit of a more inclusive, context-responsive legal education.

Source: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in the South

DOI: 10.36615/6ba27644

Author: Pumza Nomnganga

Institution: Walter Sisulu University

Language: English

Topic: Legal Education and Practice Innovations

Subfield: Law

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4417285270

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