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jojo
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Aug 2006 : 17:19:54
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Does anyone know of a good book I can read of the history of education in Africa, and if I am lucky, of Gambia in particular? I can't really find something which comes up to date, but I want something that deals with education from pre-Islamic times to today.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2006 : 13:40:54
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Not sure if I understand the question. that is quite hard to know, are you thinkg of a certain date and why pre-islamic.
I am sure education was up to the locals. some civilasation had form school, but because of trade some had to be bilingual, one language for a few regions, eg. swahilli. As far as reading, maths and writing are concerned they had this before islam. If you could narrow it down to a region, or maybe colonisation, ie francophone countries then there might be more formal records.
but countries like mali, and ghana had recognised places of learning for centures. timibuto still have the remains of a university and so does Ethopia. But it would be hard to give honest statistics as a lot of records have been lost, or were never recorded.
hope that helps. |
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jojo
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2006 : 19:30:18
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| I have been reading of the PORO AND SANDE bush schools, and also think there is something similar in Gambia with the Kafo's for women? Educating children into the community and culture in which they lived. Some say that perhaps African countries should adopt Arabic as their official language, because most are taught this language in school. I thought formal reading and writing was introduced by Islam into Africa, although the Amharic language in Ethiopia is older. Have you heard of the game 'Ayo'? It's a mathematical game played all over Africa apparently. Everything I read seems to be about thirty years out of date, and stuff I download seem to consist of theories or just empty promises. I read an excellent article by Julius Nyerere on Education in Tanzania, but have very little idea of the situation in that country now. I was just wondering if there was a decent book giving an overview on the current situation. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2006 : 11:38:15
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No, before arabic there were native language in Africa, As far as I am aware only muslim schools teach arabic. Do you have a time line, for example the 19th century, if you look at south africa when the europeans took over, i doubt if arabic was thought of. it would have beenenglish or dutch that was taught in schools.
Same with Kenya english, swahili.
The Francophone countries french was the main language in school and the main local language.
If a child was taught arabic they could only travel to muslim countries.
The reasoning was this, under colonial rule a child was taught the language of the governing party. French for francophone, english for Anglocountry, portugeese for Guinea, and Angola, you get my drift. Armed with the knowledge of the langue they could travel to europe. Many african under colonial rule came to europe and studied a profession, law, accountancy, diplomatic service.
If they had only been taught arabic it would not have helped the professional.
today most gambian schools from 5 upwards teach english in school, some of the children will learn to read and write in their native language by attending extra classes.
I have not come across any native language courses within the formal school circulam.
Hope this helps |
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jojo
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2006 : 13:54:20
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| Thanks for the reply Jambo. I understand about there being many languages in Africa before the European settlers and the arrival of Islam. Problem was there was no formal alphabet (or so I think) Madagascar, in the 60's, started to teach Madagasci instead of French at primary school, later teaching French as a foreign language, because that is one of the offical languages of Madagascar. Ghana, Lesotho, and other countries have tried something similar, but not sure about how much success they have had. I've been reading a Unesco pamphlet on Education in Africa, (1965) which was so optimisitic - predicted universal primary education for every African child by 1980! As there is (rightly) such current pressure for the 'Africanisation' of the African curriculum, I was wondering what systems existed of socialising children into their cultures before Islam. |
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jojo
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2006 : 21:15:15
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| Actually Jambo - I just found a load of relevant stuff on the links of the Homepage on this site. Amazing! |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2006 : 20:46:42
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| the power of positive thinking, glad for you. |
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2006 : 02:40:38
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| KEEP THE POSITIVE WORK JAMBO. |
There is no god but Allah |
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