Which among the following is appropriate about Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s article “literature in schools”?
[A] The article discusses the relevance and adequacy of the present education system
[B] It advocates teaching of European texts and literature to the students of the third world countries
[C] It reflects negatively upon the literature taught to the Kenyan students in national schools
[D] It argues that cultural imperialism distorts people’s vision of history
[E] It observes that European teachers are better equipped to teach literature to the Kenyan students
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is A, C and D only.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o is a renowned Kenyan writer and postcolonial theorist. In his essays and articles, including “Literature in Schools” (often discussed in the context of his seminal work Decolonising the Mind), he critiques the colonial legacy remaining in the education systems of post-independence African nations. Below is a detailed breakdown of why statements A, C, and D are appropriate:

1. Discussion of the relevance and adequacy of the education system (Statement A):
Ngugi analyzes the post-colonial school curriculum and questions whether the existing education system is relevant to the needs of Kenyan students. He argues that the system is inadequate because it continues to perpetuate colonial values rather than fostering critical awareness and national identity.

2. Negative reflection on the literature taught in national schools (Statement C):
The article strongly criticizes the literary syllabus in Kenyan schools, which was heavily dominated by British and European classics (such as Shakespeare and colonialist depictions of Africa). Ngugi argues that teaching these texts in isolation alienates students from their own social, historical, and cultural realities.

3. Impact of cultural imperialism on history (Statement D):
A central thesis of Ngugi's postcolonial critique is that cultural imperialism—exerted through language and literature—distorts how colonized people perceive their own history. By centering European experiences and values, the curriculum makes students view their own heritage, struggles, and history from a secondary, often devalued, perspective.

Why Statements B and E are incorrect:
- Statement B is incorrect because Ngugi opposes the dominance of European texts. Instead, he advocates for placing African oral traditions, African literature, and literature from other Third World countries at the core of the curriculum.
- Statement E is incorrect because Ngugi does not claim that European teachers are better equipped to teach Kenyan students. Rather, he advocates for educational self-reliance, decolonized pedagogy, and local agency in teaching literature.