Colonial Education in Nigeria 1842-1870

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Questions and Answers

What major event took place in 1952 in relation to political parties in Nigeria?

Western education was mandated.

A regional assembly was dissolved.

Political parties gained control of regional assemblies. (correct)

The constitution was rewritten.

Which political party had control in the East region of Nigeria during the elections?

Action Group

Northern People's Congress

Liberal Party of Nigeria

National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (correct)

What was one of the main reasons Western education struggled to establish itself in the North before 1900?

Geographical barriers from the coast. (correct)

Insufficient funding from the government.

Lack of interest from the local population.

High population density in the North.

Who established the complex school in Kano in 1909?

Mr. Hans Vischer Signup and view all the answers

What type of education did the Nassarawa schools in Kano provide?

Western-style formal education. Signup and view all the answers

By 1914, what educational developments occurred in the northern provinces following Vischer's complex school?

Establishment of more provincial schools. Signup and view all the answers

What role did missionary societies play in Nigerian education from 1842 to 1870?

They were responsible for all education. Signup and view all the answers

What was one major impact of the arrival of the railway to Kano in 1913?

Establishment of schools for southerners' children. Signup and view all the answers

What was the amount of the grants-in-aid given to missionary bodies in 1872?

£30 Signup and view all the answers

Which educational ordinance was enacted in 1882?

It allowed the colonial government to appoint inspectors of education. Signup and view all the answers

What restriction did Lord Lugard impose regarding missionaries in the North?

Missionaries were restricted to non-Muslim areas. Signup and view all the answers

What was one responsibility of the colonial government according to the educational ordinance?

To ensure standards for all schools. Signup and view all the answers

When was the first government secondary school opened?

1909 Signup and view all the answers

Which institution was the first post-secondary institution in Nigeria?

Yaba Higher College Signup and view all the answers

After 1882, how many years did the colonial government take to become a significant partner in education?

From 1882 to 1950 Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in 1877 regarding grants-in-aid?

The amount was raised to £200 per year. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Oldman Commission established in 1961?

To investigate financial and administrative issues related to UPE Signup and view all the answers

Which government allocated 40% of its budget to education and emphasized free primary education?

Western Region Government Signup and view all the answers

What issue did the Banjo Commission identify that was affecting the standard of education?

Presence of untrained teachers Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of its budget did the Eastern region allocate to education for the UPE program?

48% Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of the recommendations made by the committee under Dr. K. Dike in 1958?

Quality over quantity in education Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the factors that contributed to the failure of the UPE program in the Eastern region?

Problems in the initial implementation Signup and view all the answers

By 1960, what percentage of school-age children was accommodated by the UPE program in the Western region?

90% Signup and view all the answers

In which year did the Western Region announce the introduction of UPE?

1955 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Colonial Educational Control in Nigeria

From 1842 to 1870, the colonial government had no role in education in Nigeria; it focused on asserting control over regions resisting colonization.
Missionary societies were solely responsible for the education of Nigerians during this period.
In 1872, the colonial government began providing grants-in-aid of £30 to each missionary body involved in education.
Notable recipients of these grants included the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Church Missionary Society, and Roman Catholic Church.
By 1877, grants were increased to £200 per year per mission.
The Educational Ordinance of 1882 empowered the colonial government to:
- Grant aid to all missionary bodies in education.
- Establish a board of education to oversee educational processes.
- Appoint education inspectors to determine aid eligibility.
- Open government-run schools.
- Require admissions of Muslim children in missionary schools.
From 1882 to 1950, various regulations were enacted to regulate education quality in Nigeria.
Lagos saw the establishment of the first colonial primary school in 1889, followed by Benin City in 1901 and Kings College Lagos in 1909 as the first government secondary school.
Katsina Teacher Training College opened in 1923, and in 1948, University College Ibadan was established.

Regional Education Developments

The Richards Constitution of 1945 divided Nigeria into three regions: East, West, and North, each with its regional assembly and education department.
In 1952, regional elections led to political parties taking control, with focuses on local education development.

Western Education in the North

Western education was introduced in the North around 1900, several decades after its establishment in the South.
The Northern region faced challenges like geographical barriers, lack of access roads, and existing educational systems that were not aligned with missionary efforts.
In 1906, a school in Sokoto teaching Hausa and Arabic failed, prompting Mr. Hans Vischer in 1909 to establish a complex school in Kano for comprehensive education including teacher training and general literacy.
By 1914, the establishment of provincial schools in locations like Sokoto, Katsina, Bida, and Zaria started to replace Vischer's complex.
The railway's arrival in Kano in 1913 facilitated increased interaction with the South and a demand for Western education, as Islamic education did not provide the same employment opportunities.
In 1952, the Northern Regional Assembly, led by N.P.C., resisted adopting the Universal Primary Education (UPE) model from other regions.

Western Region Education Initiatives

The Action Group, under Chief Obafemi Awolowo, prioritized education and health, implementing UPE in January 1955.
From 1952 to 1955, significant investments were made: 40% of the budget dedicated to education, of which 90% funded primary education.
By 1960, the Western Region enrolled over one million pupils in free primary education.
The Banjo Commission was established to assess the education system, revealing issues like untrained teachers, large class sizes, and inadequate supervision.

Eastern Region Education Trends

In the Eastern region, the N.C.N.C. government introduced UPE proposals for eight years of free primary education starting in 1957.
The government allocated 48% of its budget to education for this initiative.
The program faced challenges upon launching in February 1957, leading to the establishment of a committee under Dr. K. Dike in 1958 to focus on quality over quantity in education.

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Description

This quiz explores the period of colonial education in Nigeria from 1842 to 1870. It highlights the role of missionary societies in education and the eventual involvement of the colonial government starting in 1872. Test your knowledge on the intersection of education and colonial control during this significant historical period.