Greener Journal of Education and Training Studies

Greener Journal of Education and Training Studies Vol. 2 (3), pp. 064-070, July 2014.

  ISSN: 2354-225X 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 012914086

 

Integrating Traditional African Education into Current Educational Practices: Suggestions for Primary School Pedagogy

 

¹Cuthbert Majoni, ²Taurai L. Chinyanganya

 

¹Zimbabwe Open University, Mashonaland Central Region P. Bag 984, Bindura, Zimbabwe.

²Mashonaland Central Region P. Bag 984, Bindura, Zimbabwe.

²chinyanganyatau @yahoo. co.uk, Tel: 263+71+ 7161/7484/7107, Cell: 0772912938

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: cmajoni @gmail .com, Tel: 263+71+ 7161/7484/7107, Cell 0772678966

Abstract:

This paper examines how traditional African educational approaches can be used with European methods in the teaching of young children at primary schools in Zimbabwe. From an African-centred perspective, European/Western education is viewed as ‘compartmentalistic’, limiting and potentially inhibitive of the communal, social, and cultural responsibilities expected of a fully initiated African adult. The paper takes the position that a re-look at African traditional knowledge dissemination systems such as communal education, group learning, fireside folktales and legends, used in tandem with the European paradigm, will produce a better-cultured adult who fits comfortably in the frame of current developments on the African continent.  The paper proposes a curriculum that recognises the value of African traditions as educational methods of teaching that can make learning more relevant and exciting for primary school going pupils.

Keywords:  traditional African education, pedagogy, relevance, colonialism.

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