The Bantu Education Department was a governmental department created by the Bantu Education Act for the education of blacks in South Africa by the National Party government during the apartheid years.
The approach was that the blacks had a different culture, separate from that of the whites, and that they had to be educated accordingly. Black education initially had a strong missionary presence, especially in the rural areas, and there was much good-will among inspectors and teachers of different races. However, the rigid way in which the policy was applied eventually led to much discontent and hardship.
Famous quotes containing the words education and/or department:
“In England, I was quite struck to see how forward the girls are made—a child of 10 years old, will chat and keep you company, while her parents are busy or out etc.—with the ease of a woman of 26. But then, how does this education go on?—Not at all: it absolutely stops short.”
—Frances Burney (1752–1840)
““Which is more important to you, your field or your children?” the department head asked. She replied, “That’s like asking me if I could walk better if you amputated my right leg or my left leg.””
—Anonymous Parent. As quoted in Women and the Work Family Dilemma, by Deborah J. Swiss and Judith P. Walker, ch. 2 (1993)