MB MPHELO 30230462 History of education The future of any country lies in its education The history of any discipline is important, but when it comes to education, it is even more important because if we don’t know where we come from, then we wont know what has shaped our thoughts and beliefs. When we understand the history of education, it allows us to make better judgement and to succeed where previous philosophies have failed. Throughout this article, I will be focusing on the history of education since the year 1652 up to the present. Education during the colonial rule Generally, the colonial education is said to be the form of education that was brought along with colonial settlers during the time they occupied different lands across the globe.
Jan van Riebeeck , the founder of the first colony at the cape town in 1652 was an official of the Dutch east Indian company. According to wolhuter et al.(2018:83) the goals of the cape settlement in 1652 were to establish a refreshment station. The year 1658 marks the beginning of the slave trade at the colony, the colony became a slave trading society. Armstrong James (02 April 2015) wrote in an article that there were two types of slaves at the colony – those that belong at the Dutch east India ad those that were bought by the freeburghers.
In 1633, the first school for mainly white was established (wolhuter et al.,2018:83). Furthermore, in 1976 a separate school was established for the slave children in order to cater for their educational needs. However, this became a problem because most parents who lived far from school were responsible for the teaching and learning of their children.
Education in the cape colony under British control In 1806 Britain finally took control of the cape province, also called cape of Good hope. Teachers where imported from Britain because English became the official medium of instruction (wolhuter et al., 2018:86). These teachers were the reason why more and better schools were built. In less than no time, just after the British took control of the colony, the school commission decided that no changes must be done until everything was clear. This however, lead to most children receiving little or no education. In the year 1821 it was official that the children to be taught are those of the Dutch colonists (wolhuter et al.,2018:87).
Therefore, most children were admitted in state schools. In 1822 the aim of the government was that all children should benefit from education hence more English schools were established. By 1830s the dismissal state of education could no longer be ignored. Therefore, the British law 73 of 183 was implemented to put an end to the slavery.
Voortrekker education The one outstanding characteristic of the people leaving the cape during the great trek was their faith and religion in all aspects of their lives and especially as far as the education of their children was concerned (keyter 2015:31). During the trek, education was mainly the responsibility of parents (wolhuter et al.,2018:92). Most parents went through many trials that could have broken their spirits to educate their children in the way that they believed is right and true according to the word of God. Although, children were taught to read, write and do mathematics, the main purpose of the education was to enable them to read the bible and become members of the church community (wolhuter et al.,2018:92). Their faith in God and commitment to give their children the best education they could was the force that made Afrikaner a unique nation.History of education for black people The development of education for blacks did not cater the needs and expectations of black people.
As from 1948, the national party came into power after winning the white election (wolhuter et al.,2018:99). Consequently, this lead to a rapid decline in missionary schools. In 1953, prior to the apartheid governments bantu education act, 90% of black south African schools were state aided mission schools.
The act demanded that all such schools register with the state to remove control of churches and provincial authorities. This control was centralised in the bantu education department and its aim was to formally bring an end to a missionary control of the education of blacks (keyter 2015:23). Soweto 1976 marks the beginning of the process of rejection by young people. The June 16 1976 uprising that began in Soweto changed the political landscape in south Africa. Events that triggered the uprising resulted to the introduction of bantu education act in 1953. Formal education was interrupted everywhere, there were school boycotts, stay away actions and burning down of schools (wolhuter et al.
, 2018:100). Eventually, in 1979 bantu education was replaced by the department of education and training, this act introduced a new era for black education but the main problem was however not addressed (wolhuter et al.,2018:101).Differences and similarities Similarities Education during the colonial rule Education under British control Voortrekker education Education for black people As colonists moved deeper more school were established. when English became the medium of exchange more schools were established. In 1904 government schools were established.
Difference Education during the colonial rule Education under British control Voortrekker education Education for black people The main purpose was to establish refreshment station. The purpose was to promote the knowledge of English. The main purpose was to enable learners to read the bible. The purpose was to cater for the education needs of each racial group.
