Tot Nut van het Algemeen' School, Cape Town 1804-1870 : case study of a Cape school's response to political and philosophical changes in the 19th century

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The name of the School 'Tot Nut van het Algemeen' appears often in the literature on earlyCape education. It is described as an institution of excellence that boasts many famous pupilssuch as President Jan Brand, Ds JH Neethling and 'Onze Jan' Hendrik Hofmeyr.In this study I explore how the School managed to adapt to political, social and philosophicalchanges to survive for 70 years. I do this through telling the narrative of its existence andfunctioning, and investigate the vexing question as to why it was forced to close in 1870.The research document consists of 9 chapters. The introductory chapter provides theorientation for the study. It is followed by a chapter dealing with the factors that led to theestablishment of the School, taking into account events both overseas and at the Cape.Chapter 3 focuses on the British occupation of the Cape, with special emphasis on theAnglicisation of schools and the reaction of the colonists to this change of circumstance.Chapter 4 describes the School's activities from 1832, covering among other aspects, its reopening,curriculum and funding. The School's link with the South African College is alsoexplored. In Chapter 5, I discuss the education policies that shaped the School, as well as theideals of liberalism and democracy in as far as the School practiced them. Chapter 6 dealswith the closing of the School, and I offer various reasons for this. In chapter 7, I presentcameos of some of the influential teachers, while the School's legacy to Cape society isexamined in Chapter 8.The study concludes with a reflection that draws these facts into an integrated view andhighlights pertinent insights into the 'Tot Nut' as a worthy institution in the light of the findingsrevealed in this research.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University