Education is the cornerstone of any modern society. The Oxford dictionary defines it as; “the systematic instruction, school and training in preparation for life”. I have to say, it is singularly the best present a parent can give a child. A philosopher once said; “give a man fish he eats for a day, but teach him to fish and he can feed himself for life”. Perhaps the best way to begin this thorny issue of education is to draw on my empirical experience as a Black man born in the United Kingdom in the late 1950’s. Again I would say that I only draw on my experience as a point of reference, not as an end in and of itself. By this I mean that my experience for what its worth, is only one experience amongst many. However, I am of the view that my experience will not be too dissimilar to other black children at that time. Finally I only talk about the past in order that I can evaluate the present, and have a prospective on the future. |
