Die opvoedkundige implikasies van die kulturele ontwaking van Japan tussen 1853 en 1912 en die moontlike implikasies daarvan vir die RSA

Abstract

The history of education in Japan is about as ancient as the history of Japan itself. Even in ancient times education was provided by the government, but only for the children of the aristocracy. The parents of the rest of the population organized the education of their children themselves. From 1600 on wards Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa-family. They invented the form of government known as the Bakufu. In Bakufu Japan the government provided education for the children of the samurai, whilst the rest of the population was left to their own devices. The result of this system was that many children were educated by the Buddhist monks, because they provided education for anybody who wished to attend their schools. When the Meiji government took control of Japan in 1853 it was one of their aims to use education to further their economic aspirations. Because of these aspirations of the new government, education in Meiji Japan became career orientated in order to produce workers for the newly founded industries. In a comparison between the education of Meiji Japan (1853) and the RSA after 1976 many similarities are found, but even the differences reveal useful pointers between the two approaches to education. In conclusion this dissertation proves that the education of Meiji Japan could be a valuable source to consult in the formulation of a new education programme for the RSA.