Politics and higher education in East Africa from the 1920s to 1970

Bhekithemba R. Mngomezulu

Description

The main objective of this book is to establish the salient reasons why higher education was developed in East Africa and specifically why the Federal University of East Africa was constituted. The book will identify the factors responsible for the collapse of this regional institution in June 1970. Another objective of this book is to demonstrate how the history of the University of East Africa sheds light on colonial and post-colonial policies on education, especially higher education, as a contribution to educational planning in contemporary Africa.

Sujets

• Littérature Sud-Africaine
• Littérature sud-africaine
• Seconde Guerre mondiale
• Independence
• British Empire
• Higher education
• Nationalism
• Politics
• World War II
• Autonomy
• Philanthropy
• East Africa
• University
• Segunda Guerra Mundial

Informations

• Publié par: UJ Press
• Date de parution: 01 décembre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781920382247
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

HIGHER EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICS A ND HIGHER H I I N Fro E m A th S e T 192 A 0s F t R o I 1 C 970 A ER EDUCATION EDUCATION HIGHER Bhe kithe m b a Ric ha rd Mng o m e zulu EDUCATION

AND

IN EAST AFRICA

From the 1920s to 1970

Bhekithemba Richard Mngomezulu

Dedication

To the memory of my two late brothers: Moses and Josiah Mngomezulu; to my mom, Mrs. Nondlala Filda Mngomezulu; my sister, Ms. Mavis Fanisile Mngomezulu and my beloved Esovane community at Ingwavuma in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Most importantly, to the love of my life, my wife, Mrs. Silindile Jabu Mngomezulu (MaMkhumane) who gave me the reason to live and who remains my pillar of strength.

Lastly, to the people of East Africa who, through their academic and political leadership prowess, reconfigured the higher education landscape in the region for the sake of their communities.

Politics and higher education in East Africa from the 1920s to 1970

Published by Sun Media Bloemfontein (Pty) Ltd.

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Copyright © 2012 Sun Media Bloemfontein

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First edition 2012

ISBN: 978-1-920382-11-7 (Print) ISBN: 978-1-920382-24-7 (e-book) DOI: https://doi.org/10.18820/9781920382247

Set in Humnst777 BT 9/11 pt Cover design, typesetting and production by Sun Media Bloemfontein

Research, academic and reference works are published under this imprint in print and electronic format.

This printed copy can be ordered directly from: [e-mail] The e-book is available at the following link: https://doi.org/10.18820/9781920382247

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Dedication ....................................................................................................................... Map of East Africa ........................................................................................................... List of tables .................................................................................................................... Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... Foreword.......................................................................................................................... Background to the study.................................................................................................. Research method ............................................................................................................. The structure of the book................................................................................................. Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................... Introduction .....................................................................................................................

PART I HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE: AN OVERVIEW .........................

CHAPTER 1. The genesis of higher education in the British Empire: an overview..................... Introduction ..................................................................................................................... The tradition .................................................................................................................... The process unfolds ......................................................................................................... Philanthropy and higher education in Africa .................................................................... The survey ................................................................................................................... Nigeria......................................................................................................................... Ghana.......................................................................................................................... Sudan .......................................................................................................................... Viewsonuniversities........................................................................................................ TheAfricanvision........................................................................................................ The people on the spot ............................................................................................... The role of the university.................................................................................................. University relations with the society ................................................................................. Africanisation ................................................................................................................... Linkages with the West .................................................................................................... Academic freedom and university autonomy ................................................................... Theacademy.................................................................................................................... The role of the university.................................................................................................. Academic freedom and university autonomy ................................................................... Academicfreedom........................................................................................................... University autonomy ........................................................................................................ Africanisation ................................................................................................................... The students..................................................................................................................... A focus on East Africa ......................................................................................................

PART II THE RISE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA ...............................................

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Chapter 2. The development of higher education in East Africa and the establishment of the Federal University............................................................................................ Introduction ..................................................................................................................... The De La Warr Commission, 1936................................................................................... The impact of World War II .............................................................................................. Channon’s Memorandum and the Channon Report, 1940-1943 .................................. The Asquith Commission, 1943 .................................................................................... Other developments, 1947-1962......................................................................................

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i iv v vii ix ix x xi xiii xv

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1 1 1 5 10 13 13 15 17 18 18 24 24 25 27 28 29 32 32 34 35 37 38 39 42

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49 49 51 57 57 58 66

The Royal Technical College ........................................................................................ The First Working Party, 1955 ..................................................................................... The Second Working Party, 1958 ................................................................................ The final touches.............................................................................................................. The Quinquennial Report, 1960 .................................................................................. The Provisional Council of the University of East Africa, 1961 ..................................... The Nicol Committee Report, 1962 ............................................................................. The establishment of the University of East Africa, 1962-1963 ........................................ Conclusion .......................................................................................................................

CHAPTER 3. Politics and the Federal University of East Africa .................................................. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... Politics and East African education in the 1920s .............................................................. East African agitation for higher education ................................................................. Responses by the Colonial and the British Governments ............................................. Political tensions in East Africa during the 1930s ............................................................. The political influence on the Currie Report ................................................................ Political tensions caused by the Currie Report ............................................................. Political developments during World War II, 1939-1945 .................................................. The Channon Memorandum and tensions between British constituencies .................. Politics and the Channon Report ................................................................................. Politics and the Asquith Report ................................................................................... Politics and the Asquith Colleges in East Africa, 1945-1960 ............................................. Independence and political tensions, 1961-1963 ............................................................. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................

CHAPTER 4. Whose university? ................................................................................................. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... The University of East Africa as an international asset...................................................... The University of East Africa as a regional asset ............................................................... The University of East Africa as confirmation of uhuru..................................................... The Africanisation of the curriculum and the syllabus ...................................................... The Africanisation of staff ................................................................................................ The Africanisation of teaching methods........................................................................... The university and the East African society....................................................................... Conclusion .......................................................................................................................

PART II THE DEMISE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA .........................................

CHAPTER 5. The University of East Africa and its problems .................................................... Introduction ..................................................................................................................... Inequality between the constituent colleges .................................................................... The site........................................................................................................................ The distribution of funds ............................................................................................. The university calendar..................................................................................................... The student population.................................................................................................... Small student population ............................................................................................ Entrance requirements at the University of East Africa ................................................ Overseas education ..................................................................................................... The increase of the student population....................................................................... Race ................................................................................................................................. Uncertainty ...................................................................................................................... Conclusion .......................................................................................................................

66 68 70 75 75 77 80 81 83

85 85 86 89 90 94 95 97 99 100 102 107 108 113 116

119 119 121 125 130 132 140 155 156 162

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165 165 168 171 171 174 177 177 179 183 186 189 192 195

CHAPTER 6. Nationalism, independence and the University of East Africa ............................. Introduction .................................................................................................................... Nationalismasaunifyingforce....................................................................................... Nationalism as a divisive factor, 1955-1960 ..................................................................... Independence, the state and the University, 1961-1970 .................................................. Independence and the University of East Africa, 1961-1963 ....................................... Independence and the University of East Africa, 1964-1967 ...................................... Independence and the University of East Africa, 1967-1970 ....................................... The national university and manpower requirements....................................................... The national university as the pride of the nation ............................................................ Nationalism and independence confirmed ....................................................................... Conclusion .......................................................................................................................

CHAPTER 7. Summary and conclusions: Learning from experience.......................................... Summary.......................................................................................................................... The East African experience: Lessons for the future.......................................................... Lessons for East Africa................................................................................................. Lessons for South Africa .............................................................................................. Lessons for the African continent ................................................................................

Bibliography............................................................................................................................

Index .......................................................................................................................................

197 197 199 200 202 203 208 214 215 220 221 223

225 225 230 231 233 236

238

258

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Map of East Africa

List of tables

Table 1. Students at Makerere University College between 1958 and 1960 ............................. Table 2. Students at Makerere University College in June 1955 ................................................ Table 3. The distribution of grants at the University of East Africa .......................................... Table 4. The proposed calendar for the University of East Africa ............................................. Table 5. Calendar for the last session of the University of East Africa, 1969/70 ....................... Table 6. Number of East African students in British and American universities in 1961 ........... Table 7. East African students in American institutions from the mid-1950s to 1966 .............. Table 8. Ratio of inhabitants per physician in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 1967 ...............

41 65 77 175 176 183 184 188

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