“Old Wine in New Bottles”: Colonial Education in Southeast Asia (1850—1950)

Abstract

Colonial education in Southeast Asia is hardly a new debate under the traditional framework of area studies. However, recent research has shown new attempts and breakthroughs by offering new angles and further interpretation of colonial educational legacy and, more significantly, by undertaking the comparative approach. The paper first argues that the search for new interpretations stems from recognizing the diverse regional contexts. Under the globalized background, it further suggests the comparative approach as the future trend, bringing rejuvenation of the topic and area studies. The article ends with a summary of the current research’s strengths and weaknesses and some recommendations for future comparative research in colonial education in Southeast Asia.