Describe the major problems in the Held of education for the French in Vietnam
(1) French colonisation was based on economic exploitation as well as on the idea of a ‘civilising mission’ like the British in India. Education was seen as one way to civilise the ‘native’ or the Vietnamese people. Secondly the French needed an educated local labour force. (2) Problems : The French faced the problems in the sphere of education as mentioned below : They feared that once educated, the Vietnamese may begin to question colonial domination. The French citizens living in Vietnam, called colons, feared that they might lose their jobs as teachers, shopkeepers, policemen to the educated Vietnamese. Thus they opposed the idea of giving to the natives full access to education. In addition to above the elites in Vietnam were under the influence of Chinese culture. It was necessary for the French to counter that influence too.
