WHERE INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IS BEYOND MODERNITY: AN EXPERIENCE FROM THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH TRADITIONAL ADULT EDUCATION PRACTICES, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This research paper is intended to assess Indigenous/Traditional Church Education Practices and their Implications on Modern Education. The research attempts to evaluate the unique features of indigenous/traditional Orthodox Church education in light of modern education, the teaching and learning methods in the traditional schools of the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC). Ethiopian Orthodox Church school’s curriculum and its ways of provision, assessment, code of conduct, methodology and the livelihood of Ye’qolo Temari [followers of traditional school] in Ye'abinet Timhirt Bet [Orthodox church indigenous adult school]; and finally the contribution of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) to the development of Ye’qolo temari [adult education] and modern education.. In this research, qualitative research approach is firmly used, and both primary and secondary data sources are also utilized. The findings revealed that, native age old church schools played a significant role in the development of adult education; and have also a good implication on the improvement of modern education qualities in Ethiopia.