‘Bantu’ Education Wasn’t Better

THE article ‘Bantu education was better’ (October 22) suggested that the Minister of Defence intimated that colonial education was better than the system we have at the moment.

We strongly disagree with this thinking and wish to place the issue in context. Bantu education was highly autocratic and discouraged critical thinking. Students were expected to engage in rote learning and the standard of education was very low. The field of science was deliberately neglected, while a subject like history was blatantly propagandistic. Corporal punishment was legal in schools and parental involvement in education was discouraged. Mother-tongue instruction was mainly a way of promoting tribal identities. Bantu education aimed to cripple the intellectual development of black people.
Only a few career options (e.g. teaching, nursing, preaching) were open to the black middle class during colonial times and some of the best minds in the community ended up in these professions. Despite all the colonial hurdles, teachers and students were highly motivated as a way of beating the system. Critical debates and study groups were the order of the day outside schools. This should be seen in the context of the anti-colonial struggle. People did well academically despite Bantu education not because of it!
Since Swapo came to power, the schools have a democratic culture. No discrimination is allowed in the education system like in the old days. Students are encouraged to think more critically. A high standard of education is maintained and science is taught in many schools. Certainly, these are huge improvements compared to Bantu education. We should be fair in our assessment of these issues.
Unfortunately, Swapo had secretly agreed to neo-liberal economic policies in their negotiations with the colonial regime and this has been disastrous to the education system.
The black middle class was essentially downgraded and teachers now earn below-average incomes. Some of the best teachers left for greener pastures elsewhere. The remaining teachers are demoralised and struggle to make ends meet. This is really at the root of the education crisis.
The main difference between Namibia and South-West Africa is the economic situation, not the political situation. The majority of the people, despite the superficial political independence, are economically worse off in Namibia compared to colonial times. Until political independence, South-West Africa had Keynesian (essentially social-democratic) economic policies which ensured relatively comfortable lives for the black middle class.
The black middle class earned above-average incomes because they had to serve as a conservative buffer for colonialism. The home environment of the black middle class was comfortable and allowed for a culture of learning at home. This, of course, is no longer the case. Namibia has the dubious honour of being the most unequal country in the world. For this reason, the outstanding book by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (2009),’The Spirit Level – Why equality is better for everyone,’ should be compulsory reading for all adult Namibians. The book provides a vast array of scientific research to show how social inequality impacts on educational performance, community life, physical health, violence, teenage pregnancy, imprisonment, etc. With regards to educational performance, for example, the book states:
1. Although good schools make a difference, the biggest influence on educational attainment… is family background. (p.103)
2. One study found that, by the age of three years, children from disadvantaged backgrounds were already educationally up to a year behind children from more privileged backgrounds. (p.110)
3. The quality of the home environment is directly related to income. (p.111)
4. There is also evidence of direct effects of inequality on children’s cognitive abilities and learning. (p.113)
The main factor in terms of educational performance is the family environment, which is by and large determined by the socio-economic conditions in the country. Most Namibian families are disintegrating due to the economic policies of the Swapo government and this is underlying the current education crisis. As far as Bantu education is concerned, there is absolutely nothing to romanticise about gutter education. We say good riddance to it.

T. Itembu and K. Basson
Katutura

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.