THE DEVELOPMENT OF BANTU EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

The purpose of this inquiry was to examine the development and nature of the national (post-1954) Bantu educational system in South Africa. The problem resolved itself into three parts:1. an understanding of the background of Bantu education through the development of the South African multiracialsociety.2 An understanding of the nature of colonial (pre-1954) Bantu education through its historical development;3. An understanding of the nature of the national Bantu educational system through its historical development. The historical method was used in securing the data, and the research was limited to the development of elementary and secondary Bantu education in South Africa from 1652 to 1954. Conclusions drawn from the study were:1. Colonial Bantu education lacked defined objectives with respect to curriculum and administration, except that it. purposed to Christianize the Bantu.2. The educational thinking found within the colonial Bantu educational system was not child-centered or Bantu centered and not planned for the Bantu populace.3. The educators of the colonial Bantu educational system did, however, demonstrate a desire to educate the Bantu peoples. 4.The national Bantu educational system is a culturally based system, making of education a Bantu national institution. .5. The national Bantu educational system is a child-centeredsystem.6. It is designed to fit the apparent needs of the Bantu child growing up in a developing Bantu society. 7. And, it is a system designed around the usage of the mother-tongue as a medium of instruction which its formulators believe facilitates better learning.