With the creation of the European Higher Education Area, universities are undergoing a significant transformation that is leading towards a new teaching and learning paradigm. The competencies approach has a key role in this process. But we believe that the competence approach has a number of limitations and weaknesses that can be overcome and supplanted by the capabilities approach. In this article our objective is twofold: first, make a critical analysis of the concept of competence as it is being used (...) in higher education, identifying its limitations and weaknesses; and second, present the potential of the capabilities approach for higher education and review its complementarity to the competence approach.We begin with a brief characterisation of the capabilities approach and its implications for education. Then we examine some implications of the competencies approach in higher education and the reasons that led us to choose the DeSeCo proposal for comparison with the capability approach. We then go on to compare the two approaches, addressing 1) the aims of education and 2) the concept of competence and capability. Finally, we address the implications of incorporating the capabilities approach in learning and teaching in higher education. (shrink)

Journal of Philosophy of Education, EarlyView.

Access to education for undocumented migrant children in South Africa remains a significant challenge. While the difficulties related to their inability to access education within the country have been highlighted elsewhere, there remains a lack of clarity on an approach to how this basic human right can be achieved. In this conceptual paper, we draw on the distinction between equality and equity, and describe the various ways in which education has been conceptualised in the South African Constitution – which in (...) part contributes to the existing confusion on education for various groups, including undocumented migrant children. In this paper, we critically reflects on the need to develop an integrated approach for creating a platform that allows all undocumented migrant children access to education in South Africa. We argue that an integrated approach – which entails ways through which access to education can be delivered through the lens of equity – will enhance the right to education for undocumented migrant children in South Africa. We conclude that the South African government must urgently consider this integrated approach to enable access to education for undocumented migrant children, so that they can achieve their full educational potential. (shrink)

Higher Education today have serious difficulties in meeting their educational task, about what could be done to assist and promote the student both personal enrichment and its human flourishing. Dimensions focus on two key educational concepts: the development of critical thinking and effective ethical and social commitment. These difficulties have multiple perspectives and analysis factors, but one of its main elements is marked mercantilist approach this level has now acquired. And consequently, their tendency almost exclusively to educating for employability. On (...) the one hand, this communication analyze critically the weaknesses detected in the current hegemonic paradigm prevailing in Higher Education in Latin America. On the other hand, it investigate in those educational potential showing an emerging approach in higher education, namely the capability approach. The paper is divided into the following topics: 1) show what the current problem of the formation of Higher Education students; 2) analyze the weaknesses that displays the current hegemonic paradigm of higher education, namely a competency-based education; 3) analyze the main educational potential of the capability approach; and finally, discussion and conclusions. We conclude that the capabilities approach shows comparatively higher educational potential for human development adjusted college student, with respect to those offered by the current approach competency-based education. (shrink)