Question

"During French Colonial rule schools in Indo-China became important place for political and cultural battles." Justify the statement.

Answer 1

(1) French systematically dismantled the traditional educational system and established French schools for the Vietnamese.

(2) However, only the Vietnamese elite could enroll in the schools and only a few among them passed the school leaving examination.

(3) But, the Vietnamese did not take this policy silently. Teachers and students did not blindly follow the curriculum prescribed by the French.

(4) A major protest erupted in Saigon Native Girls School in 1926.

(5) Students published nationalist journals such as Annanese Student.

(6) Many political parties such as Young Annan were formed by the students. Schools became an important place for political and cultural battle.

(7) Students fought against the colonial Governments efforts to prevent the Vietnamese from qualifying for white collar jobs. They were inspired by patriotic feelings and the conviction that it was the duty of the educated to fight for the-benefit of society.