Education and Morality in Africa

Abstract

This paper examines briefly the major concepts in education and morality in Africa, focusing on the moral education of the African child. This is with particular reference to the child’s obligations and duties to self, family, local community and the nation. It is argued that education today has been reduced to no more than schooling, which focuses mainly on literacy and numeracy. The politicization of institutionalized education in post‐colonial Africa has led to an explosion in the schooling process, a high turnout of unemployed youths, and a questionable abandonment of the major values of indigenous education. It is recommended that in the new millennium, what is good in African indigenous education should be synthesized with the valuable aspects of Western culture. This would ensure that we move closer to the standard of morality and life in the traditional African education system.

Educating for <i>Ubuntu/Botho</i>: Lessons from Basotho Indigenous Education

“…19-20) defines education as the process of transmitting the culture of a society from one generation to the other, the process by which the adult members of a society bring up the young ones. What I attempt to do in this section is to reflect on education and morality in Africa (Adeyinka & Ndwapi, 2002). Adeyemi and Adeyinka (2002: p. 223) note that before the arrival of the missionaries and the introduction of Western civilization into Africa "education on the continent was purely indigenous", that is, it was "generally known as African traditional education or "indigenous education" of various communities" (Adeyemi & Adeyinka, 2003: p. 425).…”

Africanising Institutional Culture: What Is Possible and Plausible

“…5. I lack the space to defend the 'Africanness' of such an approach, but refer the reader to Adeyinka and Ndwapi (2002) and Adeyemi and Adeyinka (2003), who discuss the salient communal and utilitarian dimensions of traditional African education. 6.…”

African Humanities and the Paradox of Western Education in Ghana

“…Consequently, the sound moral training espoused by the pre-colonial system of education in Africa may be realized. 60 Thus the defunct non-formal education system in Ghana should, as a matter of urgency and policy, be intentionally revamped. This would contribute to the attainment of "African educational ends [which highlight] the community's customs, the acquisition of moral personhood, work-based learning as preparation for work that supports the community and its development, and dialogue."…”