Introduction
In 1924, Dr Norman Leys (1875-1944) recorded his alarm at the direction that schools were taking in Kenya (then part of British East Africa), where chiefs’ sons were being indoctrinated for colonial government and everyone else trained for maximum productivity. But an Englishman’s prized liberties, he said, had not come from toiling in the State’s anthills; they had come from wandering in the fields of great literature.
PEOPLE in every age have held that it is the business of the common herd not to think for themselves, but to do what they are told, with as much skill as can be imparted to them, so that ‘better living’ will bring to them as well as to their betters the material comforts that are the antidote to the evils resulting from free inquiry.*
As for character training, most people in this country think that if we succeed in getting the young to enjoy the records of past greatness and virtue in such books as the Bible, Shakespeare and Scott,* they will learn for themselves better lessons than any course of moral instruction can provide. Fortunately, thanks to missions, which often translate the Pilgrim’s Progress* as well as the New Testament into African languages, many Africans already are under the influence of great literature. One has the right to be suspicious of any man who thinks any other educational influence comparable with it.
On ‘the evils resulting from free inquiry,’ see Prime Minister William Gladstone on his experiences as an undergraduate at Oxford in Trusting the People, and diplomat William Eton on his experiences in the Ottoman Empire in The Source of Civilisation.
Playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616); novelist and historian Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). See posts tagged William Shakespeare (26) and Sir Walter Scott (8). On the Bible, see and posts tagged Bible and Saints (211).
A Christian allegory by John Bunyan, first published in 1678 and expanded the following year, with a second (and sadly neglected) part published in 1684. It has been dubbed the first novel written in English. See posts tagged John Bunyan (3).
Précis
In 1924, Dr Norman Leys warned that the programme of education in colonial Kenya was ill-conceived, saying that it was quite wrong to use schools merely to indoctrinate the quality and train everyone else for labour. British values of liberty and honour had been fostered by the leisure to read classic literature, and Africans deserved no less. (57 / 60 words)
In 1924, Dr Norman Leys warned that the programme of education in colonial Kenya was ill-conceived, saying that it was quite wrong to use schools merely to indoctrinate the quality and train everyone else for labour. British values of liberty and honour had been fostered by the leisure to read classic literature, and Africans deserved no less.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, must, not, or, otherwise, ought, unless, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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