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.
