Critical pedagogy is an approach to education that aims to empower and liberate students by encouraging critical thinking, reflection, and action. It is rooted in the belief that education should not only transmit knowledge and skills, but also help students develop a critical consciousness about the world around them, with a focus on social justice and equity. Critical pedagogy challenges traditional educational practices and structures, advocating for a more democratic and participatory approach that encourages students to question and challenge dominant ideologies and power dynamics. This approach is often associated with the work of scholars such as Paulo Freire and bell hooks.