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Abstract - Globalization and Knowledge Production in the World: A Critical Analysis of the Place of Africa
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Abstract: Globalization has impacted unprecedentedly on global knowledge production. The politics of knowledge production has taken a new dimension since the end of the Cold War era in which Euro-American ideals has continued to sweep around the world. The import of this is that there has been universalization of what constitutes knowledge and how it is produced. Development generally is patterned after the with the West as the ideal. Africa, a colonial construct has also been affected by the globalization of knowledge production. This paper adopts the qualitative research methodology with the analysis of extant academic works and other materials to make sense of the situation of Africa in the global politics of knowledge production. The paper notes that while Africa was just wriggling out of throes of colonialism politically and efforts at decolonizing knowledge at infancy, the onset of globalization has confined the continent to the backseat among other continents. It notes further that as a result of this, what constitutes knowledge, how it is produced and accessed in Africa remains Western. As a result of this African development is vainly patterned after her ‘erstwhile’ colonial masters. The whole idea of post-colonialism in Africa is misleading and knowledge production with which to forge ahead is perpetually colonial, hence Africa’s unhealthy backwardness. The paper recommends that Africa needs not only to decolonise knowledge production but also assert its position in global politics of knowledge production in order to be in charge of its development. Keywords: Globalization, Knowledge, Knowledge Production, Africa. |
Abstract - Voices of Teachers on School Violence and Gender in South African Urban Public Schools
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Abstract: This article discusses the findings of a study conducted in Gauteng, South Africa. The main aim of the study was to examine how principals and educators experience and address violence in schools. This included investigating the gendered nature of school violence. The study used a qualitative research method, which drew upon individual and focus group interviews to collect data from the School Management Teams (SMTs), educators and the School Governing Bodies (SGBs parent component). Using a post-structural feminist view to understand the gendered nature of violence in the schools, the research findings show that school violence is a male and female phenomenon, although boys (young males) were seen as the main protagonists of school violence. Findings also revealed that, although female educators are sometimes victims of school violence, they use violence reduction strategies in their professional capacity as educators that any other professional could apply regardless of their gender. The strategies for eliminating violence in schools should not be gendered but should rather be all-encompassing and should take all factors into account that may play a role in causing violence. Keywords: Social identities, gender violence, sexual harassment, essentialism, educators. |
Abstract - Leveraging Technology-Mediated Adult and Distance Learning for Economic Growth in Africa
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Abstract: Following the rudiments of contextual analysis, and based on theoretical and philosophical analyses, this paper explores how technology mediated adult and distance learning might contribute to the economic growth of Africa, all things remaining equal. It proceeds from the perspective of analysing the related contextual situations of selected countries in Africa through the brief review of Africa’s technology readiness, and posited that the possible gains that could be made from the application of adult and distance learning are tacitly located in somewhat perfect management of systems and sub-systems in education and the economy. Based on this analysis, it was proposed that whatever might be the state of Internet and technology readiness Africa has achieved, the successful creation of the nexus for economic growth is circumscribed unless the continent’s political stability is assured now and in the future. Keywords: Adult learning, distance learning, economic growth, Internet readiness, leveraging, systems, technology. |
Abstract - How Africa Got into a Mess: Colonial Legacy, Underdevelopment, Corruption and Human Rights Violations in Africa
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Abstract: The political independence that the people of Africa attained over the last four decades was not a gift from the Western colonial powers. It was however the result of the struggles of the African people against foreign domination and exploitation. The political independence of Africa however did not yield good results for African people. The colonial powers having looted the African continent and its rich natural resources left Africa an empty shell. The independence of Africa could not lead to genuine development of the former colonies. To change the state of affairs which Frantz Fanon describes as "The wretched of the earth", has forced African people into a new form of domination, called neo colonialism in various forms. This new form of colonial domination was defined by the All African People's Conference (AAPC) which took place in 1962 in Cairo as 'the survival of the colonial system in spite of formal recognition of political independence in emerging countries which became the victims of an indirect and subtle form of domination by political, economic, social, military or technical means' (Machyo 1996:35). It was also pointed out that this new form of foreign domination was the greatest threat to African countries and sovereignty. The reason being that the neo colonial powers had the tendency to resort to 'economic and political intervention in order to prevent African leaders from directing their political, social and economic policies towards the exploitation of their people and their natural resources. The problems of modern Africa in the post-colonial period are a mockery for the so-called independent or liberated Africa. The conditions of the African people are worse than they were in the colonial period. However other problems of Africa were not of colonial design but African design like under-development, corruption and human rights violations. The purpose of this article is to examine the problems plaguing post-colonial Africa. Keywords: Colonialism, Underdevelopment, Corruption, Human Rights, Violation. |
