Teaching for Africa!

05.10.09

by Mbali Njomane

In light of globalisation and western civilisation, African heritage has become increasingly compromised. This is largely because, in a world dominated by economic superpowers, our education systems tend to follow suit. Thus, from early childhood development, education consists of predominantly western subject matter and employs western learning mediums.

From the onset of childhood learning, Marvel Superheroes, Disney characters, Hans Christian Anderson fairytales, Barbie, and Barney dominate children’s educational products such as television shows, toys, books, pictures and music. These children naturally grow up and give patronage, almost exclusively to these characters and products. Children, who are born and bred in Africa have little chance of building values related to their own African heritage - African culture is as foreign to them as it is to the rest of the world.

How do we expect to raise African patriots under these circumstances? And most importantly how then, will Africa thrive?

Teachers are at the heart of the solution. With the family dynamics of our modern era, increasingly, our children are being raised at school. This gives teachers a prominent role in influencing our children’s value systems, and a great platform to foster patriotism. From as early as play school, incorporating African culture into the learning environment even in subtle ways can become very effective in the long run.

This is Puo’s goal, to give teachers fun and innovative learning products and mediums to promote African heritage from early childhood development. Support the Puo brand, and take steps toward nurturing future generations of proudly African children.