Record Details

George Bremner, Graaff-Reinet and “A State of Feeling”, 1848-1859

New Contree

 
 
Field Value
 
Title George Bremner, Graaff-Reinet and “A State of Feeling”, 1848-1859
 
Creator Ludlow, Helen
 
Subject — Graaff-Reinet; 19th century Cape Colony; Government education; Teacher identity; Race; Class; Respectability; George Bremner
Description This article explores a young Scottish teacher’s attempt to implement the ambitious plans for government education in Graaff-Reinet in the mid 19th century. Designed for the whole population, the New System (or Established System) represents a moment in the racialised history of South Africa when there was an imagination of an inclusive, though very British, education system. The focus of the article is on the identity of an able, well-qualified teacher attempting to fulfil his charge in GraaffReinet, a town of growing affluence and regional importance. While Bremner, as government teacher, proves to be a catalyst for local efforts to improve the quality of education, this is largely a sad story of frustration and failure. Entrenched racial attitudes, class aspirations, and the failure of the state adequately to resource the New System combine to undermine his ambitious efforts and challenge his personal worldview. So too does the teacher’s fiery defence, particularly in his public writing, both of his project and the status and reputation which he believed to be his due.
 
Publisher AOSIS Publishing
 
Contributor
Date 2012-01-31
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/nc.v63i0.334
 
Source New Contree; Vol 63 (2012); 28 2959-510X 0379-9867
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://newcontree.org.za/index.php/nc/article/view/334/386
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Helen Ludlow https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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