Issues last week explored the background to the crisis in the humanities in Africa. This week we examine some of the steps being taken to transform the humanities. The explosion in the number of both private and public universities and other tertiary institutions across sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in an increased demand for the teaching of humanities subjects. These were identified as comprising "the entire record of human achievement and includes the study of history, anthropology, language, culture, philosophy, literature, fine and performing arts and religion, among others".
A mere rise in numbers does not result in improvements in quality and genuine transformation, but instead lead to degradation and falling standards. Where in the past the humanities were recognised for contributing to an African identity, an understanding of the past and providing a path for the future, the wave of military governments in the 1980s and 1990s actually made things worse for the humanities. The decades of reaction and oppression fitted in well with the dominance of utilitarian approaches that negated the value of the humanities. With the return of civilian governments there is now greater hope for the humanities. The transformation has begun with recognition of the value of the humanities and how other perspectives enrich societies more than the narrow views often held by scientists and technocrats. The past must be preserved to find the future.
