Back to: History Primary 4
Hello, my smart learner! How are you feeling today? I hope you’re ready for an exciting lesson. Have you ever wondered how schools started in Nigeria? A long time ago, there were no schools, no classrooms, no teachers, and no exams! But learning still took place in different ways. Today, we will learn how education began in Nigeria and how it has changed over time.
How Education Started in Nigeria
Imagine if you never had to go to school. Sounds fun, right? But think about this—how would you learn to read, write, or count? How would doctors, engineers, or teachers learn their skills? Education helps people gain knowledge and skills to succeed in life. In Nigeria, education started a long time ago in different forms before schools were built. Let’s see how it all began!
Traditional Education in Nigeria
Before modern schools were introduced, Nigerians had traditional education. Children learned by watching, listening, and practising. They were taught by their parents, elders, and skilled workers in their communities.
Some things children learned through traditional education included:
- Farming and hunting for boys
- Cooking and home management for girls
- Storytelling and history
- Respect for elders and good behaviour
- Local crafts like weaving, blacksmithing, and pottery
Traditional education helped children learn survival skills and become responsible members of society. However, they did not learn how to read or write in English.
Islamic Education in Nigeria
When Islam spread to northern Nigeria in the 11th century, Islamic education began. It was taught in Qur’anic schools, where children learned:
- How to read and write in Arabic
- The teachings of Islam
- Good morals and discipline
Islamic education helped many people in northern Nigeria gain knowledge of reading and writing, even before Western education arrived.
The Arrival of Western Education in Nigeria
Western education in Nigeria started with the arrival of Christian missionaries in the 19th century. The first school in Nigeria, called Badagry Nursery School, was established in 1842 by Reverend Thomas Birch Freeman and other Christian missionaries.
The missionaries introduced:
- Schools where children learned English, Arithmetic, and Christian teachings
- The first primary schools and later secondary schools
- Printing presses to produce books for learning
Some of the earliest schools in Nigeria included:
- St. Thomas’ School, Badagry (1845)
- CMS Grammar School, Lagos (1859) – the first secondary school in Nigeria
- Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar (1895)
The British colonial government later took control of education, and in 1948, the University of Ibadan became the first university in Nigeria.
Think about how you learn new things today. Your parents might teach you how to cook or greet elders, just like traditional education. In school, you learn Maths, English, and Science, just like the early Western schools. Education has grown from learning at home to having big schools, universities, and even online learning like Afrilearn!
Another example is when you are learning how to ride a bicycle. At first, someone teaches you by guiding you, but after practising, you can ride on your own. That’s how education started in Nigeria—it grew step by step!
Conclusion
Education in Nigeria started with traditional learning at home, followed by Islamic education in the North, and later Western education brought by missionaries. The first school in Nigeria was opened in 1842 in Badagry. Over time, education has grown, and today, we have many primary schools, secondary schools, and universities across the country.
Evaluation
- How did traditional education take place in Nigeria?
- What did Islamic education introduce to the North?
- Who brought Western education to Nigeria?
- When was the first school in Nigeria established?
- What is the name of Nigeria’s first secondary school?
Great job, superstar! Now you know how education started in Nigeria and how it has changed over time. Education is the key to success, so always take your learning seriously. Afrilearn is here to make learning fun and easy for you. Keep shining, and see you in the next lesson!
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