Reading between the lines: societal norms in Sierra Leonean readers

A content analysis of primary school readers in Sierra Leone revealed that the particular modern and traditional normative aspirations expressed in the National Development Plan for 1974/5-1978/9 were also generally reflected in the children's readers. Compared to the 1964 readers, the 1st indigenous readers developed circa 1977 contained markedly greater emphasis on traditional norms, though modernity norms continued to dominate, and substantially less emphasis on Efficacy (a central aspect of modernity) and on Nonparochial Affiliation. This closely corresponded with the intent of the National Plan to continue on a modernizing course employing the traditional norms of Manual Labor and Social Cohesion in a grassroots effort to develop the agricultural sector, with nationalism in a less important role. Apart from lesser emphasis on Efficacy and underemphasis on the Value of Education, both discordant with national goals, the 1977 readers seem to provide children and teachers with a fairly accurate image of the national ethos. This may help to account for the generally positive relationship that has been found between schooling and economic development.