AFRICAN ETHICAL VALUES AND ITS CONTRIBUTION FOR THE HOLISTIC EDUCATION SYSTEM
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The study aimed to examine African ethical values and its contribution to the holistic development of the person.
Statement of the problem: Holistic education emphasizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit within the context of a wider world. While indigenous peoples, such as Africans, have a rich history of such holistic education, there seems to be a disconnect with modern systems of education that tend to ignore these indigenous methods.
Research methodology: The study applied desktop review methodology to gather relevant literature.
Findings: The study found that indigenous peoples, notably indigenous Africans, have historically practiced holistic education. The focus of holistic education is on the relationships between linear thinking and intuition, the mind and body, various domains of knowledge, the individual and the community, and self and soul. African traditional education predominantly took place within family, peer age groups, and village gatherings. African ethical values are anchored in traditional religion and a sense of community. However, modern systems of education do not consider the indigenous ways of education, which are pivotal for holistic learning.
Recommendations: Education should serve a dual purpose: not just to bestow academic qualifications but to groom responsible and dependable members of society. Modern systems of education should integrate aspects of indigenous methods to foster holistic education. There is a need to address and challenge prejudices against African culture. The education system should be adapted to cater to both individual and community needs, emphasizing the holistic development of the person.
Keywords: Communality, cultural values, African Tradition, morality, Education
References
Adesoji, O., A. (2005), “Globalization and its Implication on African Culture and Development: Challenges for Education,” in International Journal of African and African American Studies, 4, (2) 9-21.
Anekwe, O., F. (2005), Towards a Christian Theology of African Religion: Issues of Interpretation and Mission, AMECEA Gaba Publications, Eldoret.
Aylward, S. (1998), African Culture an overview, Paulines, Nairobi.
Bernard, O. (2023), The Conception of African Philosophy by Western Thinkers. In https://philarchive.org/archive/ODUTCO. Retrieved on 20/07/2023.
Bonaventure, C, A. & Paschal, I., E. (2019), “A Critique of Hiegel’s Concept of Africa,” in An African Journal of Arts and Humanities 5, (1), 1-13.
David, W., C. (2001), “Educational Reconstruction and Post-Colonial Curriculum Development: A Comparative Study of Four African Countries,” in International Educational Journal, 2 (2) 27-46.
Emmanuel, E., C. (2003), “The Colour of Reason: The Idea of ‘Race’ in Kant’s Anthropology,” in P. H. Coetzee & A. P. J. Roux (2003), The African Philosophy Reader, Routledge, New York, pp. 430-459.
Emmanuel, I., J. (2011), “On Delimiting African Philosophy and the Equalization Scheme,” in Journal of African Studies, 8, 2011, pp. 210-224. https://doi.org/10.4314/og.v8i1.11
Gabriel, I., E. (2015), “African Culture and Values,” in Phronimon, 6 (2), 97-111.
George, K., M. (2021), “Kant’s Deontology as a Critique of Africa’s Ideological Ambiguity,” in Estudos Kantianos, Marilia, 9 (2), 81-92. https://doi.org/10.36311/2318-0501.2021.v9n2.p81
Gregory, C. (1994), Look to the Mountain: An Ecology of Indigenous Education, Kivaki Press, Colorado.
Kwame, G. (2003), “Person and Community in African Thought,” in Coetzee, P. H. & Roux, A. P. J. (2003), The African Philosophy Reader, Routledge, New York, pp. 297-312.
Kwasi, W. (2003), “The Moral Foundations of an African Culture,” in Coetzee. P. H. & Roux, A. P. J. (2003), The African Philosophy Reader, Routledge, New York, pp. 287-296.
Maurice, M,. M. (2007), Introduction to African Philosophy, Paulines, Nairobi.
Michael, K., T. (2014), “Incorporation of Traditional African Cultural Values in the Formal Education System for Development, Peace Building and Good Governance,” in European Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 2 (3), 31-39.
Michael, M., O. (1999), “Globalization and Its Challenges to National Cultures and Values: A Perspective from Sub-Saharan Africa,” In https://i-p-o.org/Maduagwu.htm. Retrieved on 17/03/2023.
Miller, J, P. (2019), “Holistic Education: A Brief History,” In Miller, John P. et alli (2019), International Handbook of Holistic Education, Routledge, New York, pp. 5-16. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315112398-2
Miller, R. (1990) Introducing Holistic Education: The Historical and Pedagogical Context of the 1990 Chicago Statement Author(s): Ron Miller Source: Teacher Education Quarterly, Winter 1992, Vol. 19, No. 1, Holistic Teacher Education, pp. 5-13 Published by: Caddo Gap Press Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/23475623
Murobe, M. F. (2003). Globalization and African Renaissance: An Ethical Reflection,” in Coetzee, P. H. & Roux, A. P. J. (2003), The African Philosophy Reader, Routledge, New York, pp. 574-588.
Odion, E., H. (2010), Colonial Mentality, http://www.thenewblackmagazine.com/view. aspx?index=2254. Retrieved on 05/10/2022.
Ogbujah, C. (2014), “African Cultural Values and Inter-Communal Relations: The Case with Nigeria,” in Developing Country Studies, 4 (24), 208-217.
Omotade, A. (2015), “Critical Notes on Hegel’s Treatment of Africa,” in Journal of African Studies 11, 2015, pp. 19-43.
Osei, A., R. & Kojo, P., A. (2022), “The Foundation and Nature of Traditional African Morality: A Review of Selected Literature,” in E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 3, (7), 279-285. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2022373
Pieter H,.C. (2003), “Morality in African Thought,” in Coetzee, P. H. & Roux, A. P. J. (2003), The African Philosophy Reader, Routledge, New York, pp. 273-286.
Samuel, S., T. (2014), “The Prefix “African” and its Implication for Philosophy in Africa,” in Journal of African Philosophy, Culture and Religions, 3 (2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.4314/ft.v3i2.7
Schopenhauer, A. (1903), The Basis of Morality, Swan Sonnenschein, London.
Segun, G. (1996) African Philosophy: Traditional Yoruba Philosophy and Contemporary African Realities, NewYork: Peter Lang, 1996.
