Psychological and Pedagogical Considerations in the Making of Text-books

Opening Paragraph The problem of the production of text-books for African schools is one which is engaging much attention from those who are interested in African education, and indeed there are few problems of African life where the efforts of serious thought are likely to be better rewarded. In an admirable document (5) the International Institute of African Languages and Cultures has discussed some of the fundamental issues involved, and the writers of text-books will probably find it wise to follow the general lines there laid down. That discussion does not, however, claim to have exhausted the subject, but is rather intended to invite fresh suggestions. The purpose of the present study is to set forth some psychological and pedagogical considerations which bear on the problem. Much scientific research has already been devoted to the problems of reading instruction (2), and the results should be at the disposal of the makers of text-books for Africa.