ebook9783905758825d4325

Description

This book describes the Nyae Nyae Village Schools, an innovative and unique mother-tongue education initiative set in north-eastern Namibia. Inspired by the optimism of Independence, the project was designed in close consultation with the Ju|ÔøΩhoansi community in the early 1990s. Drawing upon their traditional knowledge transmission strategies, and initiated in a supportive political environment, the project exemplified ÔøΩbest practice.ÔøΩ During the following two decades, the Village Schools have transitioned from a donor-supported ÔøΩprojectÔøΩ to government schools, and have received much attention and support from donors, civil society organisations, researchers, and others.ÔøΩHowever, the students still do not seem to succeed in the mainstream schools. Why is this? Based on long-term field-work in the region, including interviews with Nyae Nyae residents over several years and work with involved organisations, the book addresses this question. Contextualising the Village Schools within post-Independence Namibia, southern African history and the global indigenous rights movement, it examines the enormous paradoxes that schooling presents for the Nyae Nyae community. ÔøΩOwners of LearningÔøΩ is the English translation of the Ju|ÔøΩhoansi word for ÔøΩteacherÔøΩ and it serves to highlight a fundamental question ÔøΩ to whom does education belong?