Conference on the study and teaching of history 31st August – 3rd September 1959

Abstract

Since the Conference was intended to promote informal discussion about the history syllabus for the School and higher School Certificate exanimations, it was decided" not to issue any formal report, but in response to many requests the lectures have been cyclostyled. Certain suggestions which commanded a fair measure of agreement were 9 however, submitted to the Cambridge University Local examinations Syndicate and to the various education authorities in the Federation. These suggestions are set out at the end of my lecture on 'The Case for African History'. From the replies I have received it would appear that a good deal of further thought and discussion is called for before the education authorities would be prepared to recommend alterations to the existing syllabus. Undoubtedly one chief drawback to giving a more prominent place to the history of Africa is the lack of adequate textbooks. It is hoped that this deficiency will be remedied in the next few years. Certainly no person seriously concerned with education in this country can remain complacent in face of a situation in which so little teaching is given in the higher forms regarding the history of. The continent in which we live.