By Patricia Thangaraj

Children should be taught about Africa throughout the year and not just once a year during African Heritage Month in February.

This is according to Judith Gill, Head of the General Studies Department at St. Leonard’s Boys’ School, who was speaking at the Zone 5 Schools African Month Exhibition at her school
yesterday.

She noted that one of the ways this can be done is to implement elements of Africa into the regular, day-to-day school curriculum. Gill highlighted that activities such as reading African novels in English Literature; using African images in Art class; learning about the great African scientists and what they invented in Science classes; learning about African scholars and their beliefs in General Studies; and learning about the history of various African countries are all ways students can be taught about Africa and African culture.

“We have to stop behaving as if history began with Columbus and acknowledge the past greatness of African surgeons, scientists and other professionals,” said Gill, who gained most of her knowledge in this area from Tempu Nefertari of the Pan-African Commission and Thelma Gill-Barnette.

Additionally, she stated that it is especially important for children of African descent to learn about the history of this continent, because you cannot move forward unless you know about where you came from.

“If you do not know about your history, then how can your learn from past mistakes?” Gill asked.

She also quoted Jamaican pan-Africanist, orator, journalist and entrepreneur, Marcus Garvey, to support her point: “A man without history is like a tree without roots.”

Unfortunately, she said, since this is something that has not been done on a wide scale level in the schools, it will take “a lot of work”. However, it would be well worth it because it will lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of African culture and a greater knowledge of African history, apart from the negativity of slavery, Gill stated.

Approximately 11 primary and secondary schools took part in the exhibition and show. These schools were: Eagle Hall Primary, Eden Lodge Primary, Grazettes Primary, Hindsbury Primary, Hill Top Primary, Wesley Hall Primary, West Terrace Primary, Westbury Primary and St. Leonard’s Boys’.

The celebrations included exhibitions on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, African art, clothes and materials and African and African-American leaders, as well as songs, dance and drama honouring Mother Africa.

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