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Culture, education and development in South Africa : a general theoretical analysis with emphasis on black education

This historical and conceptual thesis examines the cultural and socio-economic situatedness of education and development in the different epochs of South African history from the arrival of the first European settlers in 1652 up to the present post-apartheid era. The project assumes that cultural domination is utilized for the creation and long-term maintenance of systems of learning that are embedded in colonial and exploitative relationships. These relationships are generally defined by the socio-economic development of the dominant group at the expense of subordinated populations. Moreover, the thesis argues that colonial, and specifically apartheid education in the South African situation were deliberately designed and implemented for the purpose of assuring and perpetuating divergent and at times "opposing" schemes of development for the colonizing Europeans vis-a-vis the colonized populations. As evident from the examination of policy objectives and the resulting economic and social situations, therefore, the development of one group, i.e., the Europeans, was achieved at the relative underdevelopment of the indigenous population and other oppressed groups. With the establishment of these observations, the body of the thesis moves to critically examine the current educational and cultural situations of what is "romantically" being called the new South Africa. The still depressing educational and development character of the post-apartheid situation confirms the immensity of the current and potential social "problematic" that may be capable of derailing the present agreed-upon political enterprise. In conclusion, the thesis critically examines the case for a genuine multicultural development education that assures or, at least demonstrably promises a more just and equitable education for all South Africans. Hence, the project's main assertion that the formulation and implementation of this type of education is essential for the development of the hitherto dis

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.34905
Date January 1998
CreatorsAbdi, Ali A., 1955-
ContributorsGhosh, Ratna (advisor)
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageDoctor of Philosophy (Department of Culture and Values in Education.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001610221, proquestno: NQ44333, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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