In this book: Traditional African modes of education: their relevance in the modern world (Omolewa, 2007) http://www.springerlink.com/content/xh2r453k6q024464/, it states that traditional African education is passed from one generation to the next by word-of-mouth and cultural rituals. Traditional African education includes agriculture, health care, food preparation and conservation. This mode of education is largely been used as a way of acquiring lifelong learning.
In many places in Africa, children are taught from a very young age about the core values and family importance. In addition, children are to get married by 13 to 15 years old as they are considered to reach the physical adulthood. Thus, young girls are also trained to be good wives from an early age and there are specific chores for them to do. All are expected to work for the welfare of the tribe and contribute by doing their assigned chores and obeying the scared customs and cultures of Africa. (World Wedding Traditions 2004) http://www.worldweddingtraditions.com/locations/african_traditions.html
In many places in Africa, children are taught from a very young age about the core values and family importance. In addition, children are to get married by 13 to 15 years old as they are considered to reach the physical adulthood. Thus, young girls are also trained to be good wives from an early age and there are specific chores for them to do. All are expected to work for the welfare of the tribe and contribute by doing their assigned chores and obeying the scared customs and cultures of Africa. (World Wedding Traditions 2004) http://www.worldweddingtraditions.com/locations/african_traditions.html
Masai children’s education revolves around learning tasks related to various roles to be performed in the Masai society. For example, they learn how to look after young lambs, herding cattle across pastures and drawing water from well. Common methods of education are observation, direct teaching and participation. (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3614/is_200204/ai_n9044738/ )
Next, I will give you an introduction of the history of education and the school systems in the 1990s.
Reorganizing of education by the African government happened during 1993. The government stressed a need for school systems with enough flexibility to allow communities to preserve their religion, cultural values and home languages. President Frederik W. de Klerk established new education officers and gave them responsibilities within the reorganization plan. When the new school year began in January 2995, all government-run primary and secondary schools were officially integrated. Education was compulsory for all children between ages 7 to 16.
After Kenya attained its independence, the government began advocating the need to educate all Kenyans regardless of their ethnic background. Despite the government’s efforts, very few Masai went to school.
In Masai, the parents detested western education as they have the perception that western education erodes the Masai culture. They are afraid that once their children receive education, they would forget about their Masai community and seek to live in urban places. Thus, the parents are reluctant to send their children to school.
In the last two decades, due to the lack of education in Masai, it suffered more badly than the other ethnic groups in Kenya. Today, the Masai community realizes that education is essential in understanding and finding a place in the increasingly modern world. Education, however, has become so expensive that few can afford. http://www.maasaieducation.org/maasai-culture/maasai-education.htm
Next, I will give you an introduction of the history of education and the school systems in the 1990s.
Reorganizing of education by the African government happened during 1993. The government stressed a need for school systems with enough flexibility to allow communities to preserve their religion, cultural values and home languages. President Frederik W. de Klerk established new education officers and gave them responsibilities within the reorganization plan. When the new school year began in January 2995, all government-run primary and secondary schools were officially integrated. Education was compulsory for all children between ages 7 to 16.
After Kenya attained its independence, the government began advocating the need to educate all Kenyans regardless of their ethnic background. Despite the government’s efforts, very few Masai went to school.
In Masai, the parents detested western education as they have the perception that western education erodes the Masai culture. They are afraid that once their children receive education, they would forget about their Masai community and seek to live in urban places. Thus, the parents are reluctant to send their children to school.
In the last two decades, due to the lack of education in Masai, it suffered more badly than the other ethnic groups in Kenya. Today, the Masai community realizes that education is essential in understanding and finding a place in the increasingly modern world. Education, however, has become so expensive that few can afford. http://www.maasaieducation.org/maasai-culture/maasai-education.htm
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