ICH4801
ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2025
, ICH4801
Assignment 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 2025
International, Comparative and History of Education
SECTION A: COMPULSORY SECTION
Question 1(a) (20 marks)
1. Define “colonialism” in your own words. (2)
Colonialism is the practice where a powerful country takes control over a less powerful
region, exploiting its people and resources, while imposing foreign governance, culture,
and systems such as education.
2. How does Maldonado-Torres explain the concept of coloniality? (2)
Maldonado-Torres defines coloniality as the long-lasting effects and institutionalisation
of colonial practices even after political independence, especially in cultural,
educational, and knowledge systems.
3. Explain the difference between colonialism and coloniality. (2)
Colonialism refers to the actual political and economic domination by a foreign power,
whereas coloniality refers to the continuation of colonial structures and mindsets in
institutions and culture after colonialism officially ends.
4. Sketch the sociohistorical background of colonialism and coloniality in the
South African context. (4)
South Africa experienced direct colonial rule under Dutch and British control, during
which indigenous cultures and education systems were suppressed. Later, apartheid
policies continued the marginalisation of African people. Even after apartheid ended in
, 1994, structural inequalities in education, economy, and access to resources remained
due to lingering colonial frameworks (coloniality).
5. Do you agree with the colonial policies that were implemented by European
powers? Substantiate your answer. (4)
No, I do not agree. These policies devalued indigenous cultures, languages, and
knowledge systems, while imposing foreign values. This led to the loss of African
identity and long-term socioeconomic disadvantages that still affect African countries
today.
6. How does the legacy of apartheid remain a structural element in postcolonial
South Africa? (6)
The apartheid system created deep-rooted inequalities in education, housing, and
employment. Even after its abolition, many black South Africans still face poverty, lack
of access to quality education, and unemployment due to historical disadvantages. The
economic and social structures remain skewed in favour of those previously advantaged
under apartheid, reflecting the persistence of coloniality.
Question 1(b) (20 marks)
1. What was Thomas Kuhn’s (1971) main contribution to empirical research in the
modern era? (3)
Kuhn introduced the idea of “paradigms” in scientific research, describing them as the
dominant frameworks through which communities understand problems and select
research methods. He argued that scientific progress occurs through paradigm shifts.
2. Critique the social history approach and explain why it is relevant in
decolonisation studies. (2)
The social history approach is valuable as it centers on ordinary people's lived
experiences rather than elites. In decolonisation, it helps recover marginalised voices,
ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2025
, ICH4801
Assignment 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 2025
International, Comparative and History of Education
SECTION A: COMPULSORY SECTION
Question 1(a) (20 marks)
1. Define “colonialism” in your own words. (2)
Colonialism is the practice where a powerful country takes control over a less powerful
region, exploiting its people and resources, while imposing foreign governance, culture,
and systems such as education.
2. How does Maldonado-Torres explain the concept of coloniality? (2)
Maldonado-Torres defines coloniality as the long-lasting effects and institutionalisation
of colonial practices even after political independence, especially in cultural,
educational, and knowledge systems.
3. Explain the difference between colonialism and coloniality. (2)
Colonialism refers to the actual political and economic domination by a foreign power,
whereas coloniality refers to the continuation of colonial structures and mindsets in
institutions and culture after colonialism officially ends.
4. Sketch the sociohistorical background of colonialism and coloniality in the
South African context. (4)
South Africa experienced direct colonial rule under Dutch and British control, during
which indigenous cultures and education systems were suppressed. Later, apartheid
policies continued the marginalisation of African people. Even after apartheid ended in
, 1994, structural inequalities in education, economy, and access to resources remained
due to lingering colonial frameworks (coloniality).
5. Do you agree with the colonial policies that were implemented by European
powers? Substantiate your answer. (4)
No, I do not agree. These policies devalued indigenous cultures, languages, and
knowledge systems, while imposing foreign values. This led to the loss of African
identity and long-term socioeconomic disadvantages that still affect African countries
today.
6. How does the legacy of apartheid remain a structural element in postcolonial
South Africa? (6)
The apartheid system created deep-rooted inequalities in education, housing, and
employment. Even after its abolition, many black South Africans still face poverty, lack
of access to quality education, and unemployment due to historical disadvantages. The
economic and social structures remain skewed in favour of those previously advantaged
under apartheid, reflecting the persistence of coloniality.
Question 1(b) (20 marks)
1. What was Thomas Kuhn’s (1971) main contribution to empirical research in the
modern era? (3)
Kuhn introduced the idea of “paradigms” in scientific research, describing them as the
dominant frameworks through which communities understand problems and select
research methods. He argued that scientific progress occurs through paradigm shifts.
2. Critique the social history approach and explain why it is relevant in
decolonisation studies. (2)
The social history approach is valuable as it centers on ordinary people's lived
experiences rather than elites. In decolonisation, it helps recover marginalised voices,
