Blanke onderwys in die Vryheidse distrik tot 1975

Abstract

This thesis covers die development of education in the Vryheid district for the period 1884 to 1975. The circumstances surrounding the establishment of the New Republic, as well as the influence of political and national events on the development of education in this region, give the Vryheid district a relatively unique character. The development of education in the Vryheid district was successively influenced by the educational systems of the Z.A.R., Natal and the Union of South Africa. The historical method was used in this study. Although original sources were used primarily, secondary sources were also used in order to create a total image of educational development in the district of Vryheid. Problems scarcity 1884 to encountered included the unobtainability and of data, especially that concerning the period 1902. In addition sources were scattered and the poor quality of earlier writing material more often made effective reading almost impossible. The general development of the Vryheid district is described in chapter 2. Political, economic and social factors are always contributing influences in any educational system. In chapter 3 the establishment of an educational system in the New Republic is discussed. Chapter 4 deals with the period of Vryheid was part of the South in which the district African Republic. The educational system of the Z.A.R. caused education in the Vryheid district to flourish. With the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer-War in 1899 all schools were closed and formal education came to a standstill. After the war the district of Vryheid was incorporated in the Colony of Natal. Chapter 5 covers the educational development in the Vryheid district under a seemingly unusual educational system. Although very little progress was made during the period 1905 to 1910 in establishing schools in the Vryheid district, the Natal education system was more controlled than was the case with the education system of the Z.A.R. In chapter 6 educational development in the district of Vryheid for the period 1910 to 1975 is described. The fact that control of primary and secondary education was left to the provinces by the Union Parliament, gave the Natal educational authorities the opportunity to develop a well-organized educational system in the Vryheid district. The Compulsory School Attendance Act of 1910 necessitated a more centralized system of control which led to the disappearance of small schools in the district and the emergence of schools in the towns with enrolments of 800+ pupils. The Vryheid district in general benefited from the establishment of these schools, as more comprehensive education was possible than would have been the case in smaller schools. Chapter 7 covers the development of primary education and chapter 8 the development of secondary education in the district of Vryheid. Chapter 9 concludes with a brief summary of educational development in the Vryheid district.