Indigenous Knowledge and Science Education in Zimbabwe: Perspectives of Rural Primary School Teachers

Teachers are "gate-keepers" in schools. They process what is assumed "valid knowledge" and how it is taught. The process marginalizes indigenous knowledge and legitimizes western science. This book explores and discusses teachers' definitions of science and indigenous knowledge,their attitude towards incorporating the latter in science, and pedagogical techniques they use to bridge the cultural gap between science and indigenous knowledge. While teachers are expected to facilitate new knowledge and perspectives in teaching, they are sometimes conservative and resistant to new ideas. Science and indigenous knowledge are cultural and contextual constructs. Teachers should apply this contextual knowledge in their classes and allow students to move hermeneutically between western and indigenous sciences. The book challenges the cultural domination, universalization and rationalization of western science which negates other voices. The constructivist analysis that promotes multiple sciences should be of significant help to teachers, teacher educators, curriculum developers, policy makers, and others interested in promoting intercultural or cross-cultural sciences.

Edward Shizha, PhD (Sociology of Education, University of Alberta) and Assistant Professor in Contemporary Studies at Wilfred Laurier, Brantford Canada. Co-edited book on Indigenous Knowledge and Learning in Asia/Pacific and Africa: Perspectives on Development, Education and Culture (2010 Palgrave).