Teachers and Teaching in Africa

Abstract

Teaching is the process of giving someone systematic instruction on the appropriate knowledge, values, habits, attitudes and behavioral patterns that he or she needs to function as a useful and acceptable member of the community. Teaching is a cultural universal or one of those things all humans share in common. Through teaching, human beings are able to transfer a posteriori knowledge, as opposed to a priori knowledge, onto their offspring, thus, helping them to adapt better to their environment and to enjoy life to the fullest. Teaching is a big part of everyone’s life experience. From birth to death, we spend most of our time either receiving instructions from others, or giving instructions to others. This analysis is an evolutionary account of teaching and education in Africa from pre-colonial times, through the colonial period, to the contemporary era. It focuses on teaching and education from primary to high school level, or from level K-1 to level K-12. It represents a synthesis of the works of outstanding scientists with respect to the state of teaching and education in Africa across the ages. The analysis makes many recommendations for the improvement of African teaching and education, most of which are addressed particularly to the classroom teacher, generally considered the first steward of education. The exposition examines teaching and education in Africa under the following broad headings: (a) The state of pre-colonial teaching and education in Africa, (b) The state of colonial or Western European teaching and education in Africa, (c) The state of post-colonial or contemporary teaching and education in Africa, (d) General recommendations for the improvement of teaching and education in contemporary Africa, and (e) General conclusion. TEACHERS AND TEACHING IN AFRICA