The Education that could not Escape Colonialism

Every emerging civilization relies on developing and guiding its education, as it is what enriches skills, sharpens minds, nurtures religious feelings, and prepares those who are qualified to lead in the future. With the emergence of the modern nation states by the 19th century, education played a new role in shaping the minds of young people and instilling feelings of loyalty and obedience, cultural traditions and values among them through education systems, curricula and methodologies. The colonizers did not fail to notice the role of education in achieving the goals of colonialism and reducing the spirit of resistance among the colonized countries. Since changing and tampering with education was believed to facilitate the colonizers’ journey and safeguard their existence- even after it ends- education was a major goal for them.

The colonial powers brought their education systems to Africa when they raided the continent, and thus even education was altered by colonialism. The first institutions – established in the colonial period – made efforts to spread the culture and language of the colonizers, promoting Western values ​​and principles and legitimizing colonialism. With the collapse of the traditional education system being replaced by the Western education system, African elite groups -who received their education in Western universities- appeared, abandoning the needs of their people and societies. That has led to an increase in educational crises in African countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa that contains the largest number of youth and poor in the world.

Educational activities in Africa are categorized into three main periods: the pre-colonial period, where traditional structures existed, the colonial period, in which the impact of modernity and Westernization appeared, and the post-colonial period, in which African countries gained their independence and sought to establish a free identity. This study focuses on the impacts of the colonial period, which are still obvious today in their curriculums, institutions and educational methodologies. The roots of various crises that occurred in the continent concerning education extend back to the colonial period, which raises the need to shed a light on the essential features of the education structure that was implemented in the colonial period.