The African University And Its Experiences In Academic Freedom After Independence
Author(s):
Ben John Siyakwazi (presenting / submitting) Peggy Doris Siyakwazi
Conference:
ECER 2015
Network:
WERA Focal Meeting
Format:
Paper

Session Information

WERA SES 08 D, Higher Education Research and Training: Agendas and Standards World-Wide

Paper Session

Time:
2015-09-10
09:00-10:30
Room:
307. [Main]
Chair:
Ong Kim Lee

Contribution

One of the outstanding major areas of conflict between the state and African university concerns academic freedom and the autonomy of institutions of higher education. In post-independant countries, there arose an alarming tendency to undermine, restrict or suppress academic freedom and the autonomy of institutions of higher education. The World University Service has observed the most alarming effect of increasing violation of the human rights of lecturers, professors, researchers and education writers, irrespective of the socio-political systems. The focus of this paper will restrict itself to three African post-independent countries. The objectives are to answer the following questions: 

1. What is the concept of the university?

2. What is academic freedom and institutional autonomy? 

3. What is the significance of the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education?

4. What were the challenges and experiences of Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya after post-independence on academic freedom? 

The cardinal principles of the World University Service, Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education will form the theoretical and conceptual framework of this study. The analysis of the questions reflected above, and their possible answers will make references to the Lima Declaration. Issues on conflict between the state and universities will be guided by the Lima Declaration. In the discussion and analysis of this study, the Declaration on Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy are critically examined. 

Method

In this paper, the authors have selected three African countries as case studies and analysed them in the spirit of the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education (Lima, 1988).The significance of the study will enable us to understand issues around the University's role in society and present some recommendations on how the state and the university can work together for harmony and development. The paper offers an opportunity to influence current policy decisions. Data is collected from historical records, minutes of relevant staff meetings, official communication documents, journals and interviews will be carried out. Data collected will be critically analysed. Interviews with persons involved in the conflict between academics and politicians will be examined, using the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education as a basis. Analysis of literature collected from historical records and oral history will be examined. It is hoped that the findings will contribute to the existing knowledge on academic freedom and autonomy of academic institutions.

Expected Outcomes

The findings of this study will guide us and future generations in matters of conflict between state and institutions of higher learning. It is important to underscore that the primary objective of institutions of higher learning go beyond the trilogy of teaching, research and public service. Emphasis is on carrying out practical and developmental research that will offer solutions to some of the problems of society. This study reveals the following: 1. The desire on the part of some governments to control the operations and functions of the university. This creates conflicts with academics and students, and constitutes a breach of the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom. 2. That academic freedom is essential precondition for all academics, students and researchers. 3. That all members of the academic community have the right to fulfill their functions without discrimination of any kind and without fear of interference or repression from the state or any other source as reflected in the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom. 4. That the right to education can be enjoyed in an atmosphere of academic freedom and autonomy. 5. That both state and university policies should promote a good relationship which enhances developmental research, and solves the problems of society, instead of giving rise to conflict. 6. That the right to education can be enjoyed in an atmosphere which is conducive to learning, teaching and research.

References

Ajayi T.F.A. (1973). Towards an African Academic Community in creating the African University: Emerging issues of the 1970's. Ibadan: Oxford University Press. Bitzer, E. (ed). Higher Education in scholarly look behind the scenes. Sun Press. Chachage, S. L. (2006). Introduction: Academic Freedom and the Social Responsibilities of Academics in Tanzania. Dar es Salam. Chairperson Launching session of Dar-es-Salaam Declaration on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility of Academics. 2nd July 1991. Editor, university of Dar-es-Salaam Newspaper/ Forum 1991. Chege, M. (2006). The State of Higher Education in Kenya: Problems and Prospects. A paper presented at Mijadala on Social Policy, Governance and Development in Kenya. Nairobi: Nairobi Safari Club. Kamba W. (1990). The Vice Chancellor speaks- A collection of Professor Kamba's major addresses 1980 to 1990. Harare: University of Zimbabwe. Kai, M. ( ). Haven of Repression: Report on the University of Nairobi and Academic Freedom in Kenya. Nairobi: University of Nairobi. Lucas, C.I. (1972). Our Western educational heritage. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. Report of the Robbins committee, 1965. Owusu-Ansah, C. (2015). Academic Freedom: Its relevance and Challenges for Public Universities in Ghana today. Journal of Education and Practice. Vol. 6, No. 5. U.Z Information Officer, address and oration on the occasion of the confirmation of the Degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa upon Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. U.Z. Installation speech, the Chancellor, His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe on 27 February 1988, p17. Wandira A. (1977). African University Development. Ravan Press. Yesufu J. M. (1970). Emerging issues of the 1970's: Creating the African University. Oxford University Press. Pigliucci M. (2009). What is academic freedom? [Online] http://rationallyspeaking.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-is-academic-freedom.html [Accessed 06 January 2015] US Legal, Inc (2010 - 2014) Academic freedom [Online] http://education.uslegal.com/teachers/teacher-freedoms-and-rights/academic-freedom/ [Accessed 06 January 2015]

Author Information

Ben John Siyakwazi (presenting / submitting)
Great Zimbabwe University
Educational Foundations
Pietermaritzburg
Peggy Doris Siyakwazi
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
School of Education
Pietermaritzburg

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