The Reality That Africa Must Embrace

When one realizes that change is the only constant thing, then he/she agrees with the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus that everything is in the state of flux and no one can step in the same river twice. Africa must agree that change has already taken roots and thus nothing else that can be done rather than embracing the reality.

Today Africa finds herself confronted by three sorts of cultures; Euro-Christian culture, Islamic culture and  the Indigenous African culture. This is the reality that confronts us and if ignorance prevails, then the impact of this new reality will discipline us in the near future. To avoid any sort of side effect of this new reality, then the three cultures must be blended and forged into one culture.

Not so long ago, Africa enjoyed her originality, mingled with her natural and social environment before the coming of the European missionaries and Arabs.The "incomers" must understand that we had our own education system. We educated and prepared our children to fit in our local societies not elsewhere.It was totally wrong for the Europeans to postulate that Africa is land without History and culture.

 
They believed that Africans knew nothing and never taught their children.It was a belief that reflected their ignorance about Africans.They did not realize that the education system they wanted to introduce had already being put in the place. Today, Africans having already introduced to both Islamic-Arabic and Western-Christian Education, should not forget to carry on the values we obtain from the informal education provided by our societies. The three system of education are of great advantage to the African child. And therefore, there is a need of blending the three system into one.

 

African Indigenous Education

Although, African education varies country to country, society to society, tribe to tribe; the goals are one and the same thing. African education was purposely directed towards survival, preparing the young for adulthood and much more preparing the young to be responsible men and women in the African society. It took roots from social life through teaching that propagated for social coherence. The young were prepared to become useful members of household, village, clan and entire society.{1} Girls were brought up to become future responsible wives as well as boys to become good husbands. African education system got its foundation from a strong perennial element and thus focused on transmission of heritage from one generation to the other. It also prepared the youth to be holistic members of the society. The educators used different methods in instructing the young such as playing, telling of stories, use of Proverbs and inculcating skills.{2}

Islamic Education in Africa

Islamic system of education put less emphasis on examination and certificates compared to Western Education. It focuses on moral education rather than training. According to Muslim educators, the purpose of education is not only to fill the mind of the children with facts but also to refine their moral, educate their spirits, propagate for virtue and much more prepare them for a life full of sincerity and purity. With this in mind, Islamic education finds its position in Africa. 

Western-Christian Education System

It is a system that introduced writing and reading in Africa. It gave birth to development and civilization. It covered the holistic growth of man;physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. The missionaries’ greatest concern for Africa was to encourage Africans to abolish inhuman trade of slave and teach the African people noble ways of living. 

The Reality That Africa Must Embrace

Having enough knowledge of the three education systems, I therefore Promulgate
to Blend our education system with Islamic-Arabic and Western-Christian Education. Am saying this because the education system that exist in Africa, is only western and it does not prepare us to fit in African societies. We embraced only the western education  system and neglected Islamic education and interestingly we suppressed our own. We need accommodate the three. Our Indigenous education, Islamic-Arabic and Western-Christian form of education do complement each other. One of the weak point seen in Western education is the strive for white collar jobs. This problem can be solved through blending western education system with the our indigenous education.

    Traditional education emphasized for survival and is work oriented and thus this can be of great help especially when blended with western education. Young people were trained how to hunt, cook, to cultivate and so on. Western education brought technology and so economic progress to place in Africa. Islamic education should not be neglected. Its end product should be appreciated. It focuses on moral and purity of heart. I think it is the responsibility of the parents and the entire society to make sure that good morals are inculcated in the young people. Therefore, Islamic education does not oppose Traditional African Education in any way. Having seen the importance of the above education systems, it is the work of the African governments to introduce the blending of this three education system. We are living in the land under the influence of Christianity and Islamic faith and so, the life of each individual should not be neglected; being spiritual, social, physical and emotional.

  Reference

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Nyerere J.K, Education Never Ends;( Dar-es-Salaam Press: Dar-es-Salaam, 1969)

Cameroon & Dodd, Society, Schools and Progress in Tanzania;       (London:James Currey; 1970)