WHY WAS THE DUTCH LEGACY SO POOR? EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NETHERLANDS INDIES, 1871-1942

Ewout Frankema

Abstract

This contribution builds upon Anne Booth’s extensive work on the differentiated
evolution of colonial education systems in East and Southeast Asia. The article probes
further into the underlying causes of the poor Dutch legacy. It is basically argued
that the spread of popular education was not only hampered by a lack of financial
commitment, but also by notable inequalities in the allocation of funds for education
and a great reluctance to support initiatives in investment in private education, which,
I think, should be interpreted as the result of the metropolitan commitment to secular
colonial rule in an overwhelmingly Islamic society.
Keywords: Colonialism, Education, Inequality, Islamic Society

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References

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