History of Western Education in French-Speaking Africa: The Example of Senegal

Abstract

Three centuries of French government with a colonial policy of cultural assimilation have earned Senegal a rich yet ambiguous educational system. While contributing to the full development of the country one consequent would restrict separateness of cultural identity for the Senegalese and require adaptation of the French educational system to their specific needs. This paper examines the history of Senegal's integration as a colony with the French educational system and the problems from independence to the present in elaborating a Senegalese education which adapts the French sysrem and promotes Senegal's cultural values and economic development. The limits of such action are the need to preserve the friendly and fruitful relationships with France especially at a time when the whole educational system is in a state of crisis, the need to “Africanize” the system without losing the benefit of international recognition, and the need to educate for development in a context of chronic underdevelopment. This background forms a context for psychological understanding of citizens' current behavior.