2011-11-27 10:17
Johannesburg – Adams College school in Amanzimtoti in KwaZulu-Natal is unique in being one of the first schools to supply quality education to black South Africans during the apartheid regime, says President Jacob Zuma.
“In addition to its investment in sound leadership for the country and continent, Adams College was ahead of its time in terms of the curriculum,” Zuma said in notes prepared for delivery.
“It was the first college to offer the matric syllabus, an arts degree, a building diploma and a teachers training course.
This innovative school was also amongst the first schools to introduce co-education for both boys and girls, to provide matriculation and post-matriculation courses as well as to teach mathematics and science to Africans,” he said.
Zuma was speaking at a legacy dinner held at the school.
“While Adams College has such a rich history, it did not escape the devastating impact of apartheid, like many other mission schools,” he said.
“The architects of apartheid resented schools such as Adams College which sought to empower African children. For them teaching mathematics and science to African children was not acceptable,” he said.
Adams College was officially opened in 1853 and is the oldest school to educate black students in KwaZulu-Natal.
Former students at the school include former African National Congress presidents John L Dube, Pixley ka Isaka Seme and Albert Luthuli as well as founding president of the ANC Youth League, Anton Lembede.
ANC’s founding president John Langalibalele Dube attended the school in 1881.
Zuma also announced plans to reposition schools like Adams College as “premier educational, technical, sports, arts, culture and leadership institutions in South Africa and the continent.”
– SAPA
Originally posted here:
College a pioneer in education – Zuma