Missionaries and Modernity: Education in the British Empire, 1830-1910

In the 19th century, missionary societies established mission schools in the British Empire to convert non-Europeans to Christianity. The schools provided secular education, but it was seen as leading to a moral crisis and anti-British sentiments.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

In the 19th century, numerous missionary societies established mission schools within the British Empire, driven by the belief that Christian morality was the highest form of civilization necessary for non-Europeans to become valuable members of the colonies under British rule. While the specifics varied across different colonial contexts, the overarching ideology behind these schools was to impart secular education to attract students. However, this approach created a paradoxical situation, as secular education was perceived to lead to a moral crisis and even anti-British sentiments.

This extensive survey of multi-colonial sites over a long period of time provides a clear depiction of the missionary paradox. Missionaries aimed to provide secular education to attract students, but this education was simultaneously seen as a threat to moral values and the British Empire.

The mission schools played a significant role in shaping the cultural and religious landscape of the colonies. They provided a platform for the spread of Christianity and Western values, but they also perpetuated colonialism and the exploitation of non-Europeans. The students who attended these schools were often subjected to a rigorous curriculum that focused on English language learning, Christian teachings, and the assimilation of Western culture.

However, the secular education provided by the mission schools also led to a sense of identity crisis among the students. They were torn between their cultural heritage and the values being taught in the schools. Many students felt that they were being forced to abandon their traditional beliefs and practices in favor of a foreign culture that was imposed upon them. This led to a backlash against the British Empire and a desire for independence.

The mission schools also had a significant impact on the education system in the colonies. They introduced modern teaching methods and technologies, such as the printing press, which helped to disseminate knowledge and promote literacy. However, they also perpetuated the divide between the colonizers and the colonized, as the education provided was often exclusive to the elite and did not reach the majority of the population.

In conclusion, the missionary paradox of mission schools in the 19th century highlights the complex relationship between religion, education, and colonialism. While the schools aimed to promote Christian morality and Western values, they also perpetuated colonialism and the exploitation of non-Europeans. The secular education provided by the schools led to a sense of identity crisis among the students, who were torn between their cultural heritage and the values being taught in the schools. The mission schools also had a significant impact on the education system in the colonies, but they did not reach the majority of the population.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526152978