Yes, African indigenous education could not withstand the advent of colonialism.
Reasons:
- Suppression and Marginalization: Colonial powers actively suppressed and marginalized African indigenous education systems, deeming them inferior to Western models. They banned traditional practices, rituals, and knowledge holders, which eroded the foundation of indigenous education.
- Imposition of Western Education: Colonial governments established formal education systems based on Western curricula and values, which replaced and devalued indigenous knowledge and practices. Students were taught subjects such as language, math, and history from a Eurocentric perspective.
- Cultural Assimilation: Colonial powers aimed to assimilate Africans into their own cultures, which resulted in the erosion of African languages, traditions, and educational practices. Indigenous education became associated with backwardness and paganism, leading to its decline.
- Missionary Schools: Christian missionaries often established schools that provided Western education alongside religious instruction. While these schools offered some benefits, they also aimed to convert Africans to Christianity, further weakening the influence of indigenous beliefs and education.
Examples:
- British Colonialism in Uganda: British colonizers replaced the traditional Buganda education system, which emphasized oral history, storytelling, and practical skills, with a Western-style curriculum that focused on literacy, numeracy, and English.
- French Colonialism in Senegal: French colonizers established schools that taught French language, culture, and history, marginalizing the indigenous Serer education system based on oral traditions and community involvement.
- Portuguese Colonialism in Angola: Portuguese colonizers imposed a Catholic mission school system that replaced the traditional Mbundu education system, which emphasized ancestral knowledge, leadership, and community participation.