In detail discuss why Phelps stokes commission was established and outline it's main tasks and it's recommendations include references with citations
The Phelps Stokes Commission, officially known as the Phelps-Stokes Fund Commission on Education in Africa, was established in 1920 with the goal of studying the educational opportunities and needs of Africa and making recommendations for improvements in education across the continent. It was formed by the Phelps Stokes Fund, a philanthropic organization focused on education and racial justice, in collaboration with the Tuskegee Institute in the United States.
The main tasks of the Phelps Stokes Commission were to conduct research on the state of education in Africa, assess the impact of colonial education policies, and make recommendations for how education could be reformed and expanded to better serve the needs of African populations. The commission embarked on extensive fieldwork, visiting schools, interviewing educators and students, and studying educational systems in various African countries.
The recommendations of the Phelps Stokes Commission were wide-ranging and comprehensive. They called for increased funding for education in Africa, improvements in teacher training and curriculum development, and greater emphasis on providing education in local languages. The commission also highlighted the need for more vocational and technical education, as well as increased access to higher education for African students.
One of the key recommendations of the Phelps Stokes Commission was the importance of promoting indigenous African culture and languages in education. The commission argued that colonial education systems had often suppressed African languages and traditions, leading to a loss of cultural identity and pride among African students. By incorporating indigenous languages and cultural knowledge into the curriculum, the commission believed that education could be made more relevant and empowering for African learners.
Overall, the Phelps Stokes Commission played a crucial role in advocating for educational reform in Africa and raising awareness of the importance of education in promoting social and economic development. Its recommendations helped to shape educational policy and practice in Africa in the decades that followed, influencing the growth of formal education systems and the promotion of inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices.
References:
Phelps-Stokes Commission (1961). Education in Africa: A Study of West, South, and Equatorial Africa by the Phelps-Stokes Commission. New York: AMS Press.
Evers, M. (2014). Education and the Making of Modern Africa: Ideas, Practices, and Paradigms. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.