Tonight, we continue our exclusive series on Nationbuilding, taking place on the ONLY de-brainwashing station, galaxyafiwe.net.  In the first two steps we dealt with Economics and Politics. The latest step is Education, with Family and Spirituality to follow.

This step is timely as over half a million of our children return or start school today.  It also means that later this month many of our children will also be returning to the vital “supplementary schools” within the community – although in numbers far fewer than the early nineties heyday.  (1) Nevertheless, over the last fifty years or so, these schools represent one of the most enduring institutions that sought to emolliate the ravages of the UK school system and instil in our children cultural pride.

Alas, we have not been able to convert these schools into a sustainable network of full-time institutions in spite of the litany of evidence over several years detailing the deleterious effect of the UK school system on Afrikan Children. (2).

Yet some feel that with the success of east-end state schools like Brampton Manor, with a Nigerian Headteacher, that recently had 85 students admitted to Oxbridge (more than Eton, the highest in the country in fact), many of whom are Afrikan, employing “sufficient effort and determination.”  (3)

However, the advocates of Afrikan-Centered education assert we can’t look at academic success outside of the context of the function and purpose of a Eurocentric education system and its impact on Afrikan children.  Legendary psychologist the late Baba Amos Wilson argues that only and education process that acknowledges the natural genius of our children (historically, psychologically, physiologically, etc) and is rooted in our culture can provide the necessary outcomes for Afrikan children, stating:

“Under oppression, Black people must be made ignorant by their education… the school itself must become an instrument of their dumbness.  Whether you learn in it, or you don’t, it’s made to catch you both ways.  That’s why those of us that achieve great education in it still often cannot make any contribution to the advancement of our people.” (4)

As part of its 2015 draft manifesto proposals, the then interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament Pledged to:

“Devise and promote a comprehensive Afrikan-centred education curriculum (from primary to tertiary) and train teachers in Afrikan-centred models of education.

Build and promote Afrikan-centred community schools and other educational and training services, including adult provisions; as well as invest in and support the Foundation (Saturday) Schools, with a view to developing them into fulltime Afrikan-centred schools.” (5)

It’s not clear if there is currently a process for realising these aims so we would to identify what an interim strategy would be how nit would go about developing supplementary schools.

(1) Kehinde N. Andrews (2010) Back to Black: Black Radicalism and the Supplementary School Movement. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/75465.pdf. p. 247

(2) Interim National Organising Committee (INOC) (28/11/15) MANIFESTO: Working Draft For Community Consultation. interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. p. 11. Cites evidence from the likes of Diane Abbott MP, Neil Mayers, Carol Hunte, Trevor Phillips and Tony Sewell.

(3) Mark Duell (2022) ‘East End Eton’ celebrates record year with nearly 90% of A-level students getting A* or A grades: State school in one of London’s poorest boroughs will send 85 pupils to Oxbridge this year. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11124035/East-End-Eton-Brampton-Manor-Academy-sees-nearly-90-level-students-getting-A.html

(4) Amos Wilson (01/04/22) How To Properly Educate Black Children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka4QMdV75Mw&t=281s

(5) Interim National Organising Committee (INOC). P. 12

we ask the question:

The 5 Steps to NATIONBUILDING Series. Step 3: EDUCATION

1) What is the purpose of the education in a society?

2) Is “sufficient effort and determination” all our children need?

3) Do we have the wherewithal to cater to the “natural genius” of our children?

4) Could we build an Afrikan-Centered education infrastructure in the UK?

5) How can supplementary schools be developed into full-time institutions?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant.  Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.