ABSTRACT

A school education opened up promotion possibilities, particularly for those who had formerly held a marginal status in the local social system, for example those not belonging to the ruling families, and slaves. Proceeding from the assumption that only a better education could improve the living conditions of all, the school were attributed a key position in the general development process. The knowledge and skills offered at school bear little relevance to the immediate environment and are instead based on ideals and values which have little in common with the living conditions prevailing in rural areas. Although primary schools in Black Africa are relatively numerous and can be found even in remote areas, they are mostly characterised by inadequate resources in terms of personnel and funds. The independent African states are therefore still looking for new ways to redesign their primary school systems in order to better accommodate cultural and socioeconomic contemporary.