The rationale for national and strategic studies in teacher training colleges: fostering a sense of patriotism in trainee teachers

Abstract

This article examines the cadet system paying special attention to its curriculum, aims and objectives in the context o f the discourse o f masculinity and martial orientation o f young lads as it afforded the young boys with a frontier o f experiences. The term cadet system refers to the physical training andpractical;..: teaching of young boys in the use and handling o f military< weapons as was done in almost all White dominated schools in Southern Rhodesia. The idea was mainly to instil a high sense o f civil defence and obedience among the youth in a society suffering from a strong siege mentality’. Furthermore, the British spirit o f volunteering was not popular among some of the White male settlers especially in a situation where every sector was facing manpower shortages. Lack o f involvement among settlers could have been caused by a strong belief in British naval ability as well as the use o f local natives as examples from India had proved successful. With regards to youth, it had been noted that very few were taking active roles in the military hence the need to give them military instruction at an early age. These are some o f thk challenges that contributed to the introduction o f cadet schools as well as the use o f the term ‘Catch Them Young’ referring to early training, enlistment and recruitment o f youngpoys. However, the nature o f the curriculum should be viewed as education for patriotism tailor-made to shape consciousness among pupils and educate them to accept the national priorities o f an increasing militarised state.