Chapter 108: Christmas
After their visit to an East African school, Maximilian I and Queen Carlotta were touched by the grassroots education model they observed. As aristocrats accustomed to royal court education, they had difficulty fully immersing themselves in the East African educational system. However, East Africa, being a colony, did not need to disguise anything for them, so what they saw was the genuine daily life of East African schools.
The East African schools offered only a few courses, with German and mathematics being the primary focus, followed by history and physical education. The curriculum was exceedingly simple, with a significant amount of repeated content between grades. Graduates could at best achieve basic German literacy and perform simple mathematical operations.
The curriculum in East African schools was less than one-third of what Ernst's primary school covered in his previous life, reflecting the limited capabilities of teachers in the colonies. Moreover, immigrants in East Africa varied in their appreciation for education, which impacted their children's opportunities to study abroad in Germany. Families that valued education had a better chance of sending their children to Germany, while those who didn't prioritize it might keep their children in East Africa for agricultural work.
Ernst had no interest in correcting this situation. He aimed to cultivate a sufficient number of talents for East Africa's needs. The colony demanded more farmers and land development workers than highly educated individuals, especially since the industrialization level in Europe was still relatively low.
Ernst, as a nobleman, didn't require many highly educated people, but rather obedient individuals who could create wealth. This was a pragmatic approach, similar to why ancient rulers focused on keeping the masses content rather than highly educated.
In East Africa, education was designed with a moderate approach, neither focusing too much on teaching nor neglecting it. East Africa emphasized Germanization and cultural identity but did not heavily influence other qualities or beliefs. The responsibility for shaping moral character and concepts remained with families.
Maximilian I couldn't see the political wisdom behind East Africa's education system. After visiting the schools, he suggested improvements to government personnel. However, most of the staff just nodded and didn't promise anything. The people running the East African government and army were generally only educated at an elementary school level.
Maximilian I continued offering suggestions, but the East African officials, who were primarily concerned with following Ernst's plans diligently, didn't pay much heed to his proposals. They knew their roles and were not focused on the long-term development of East Africa.
Maximilian I's enthusiasm reminded Ernst of his energy during his time as Emperor of Mexico, but the current reality was different.
As December 25, 1867, rolled around, it was Christmas once again. Both Prince Ernst and Prince Constantine, who had been traveling, returned to Hechingen to celebrate. The castle was adorned with Christmas decorations, including fir trees from the forests of southern Germany, which were placed in the hall as Christmas trees.
This year, electric lights replaced candles in the castle, illuminating the entire building. It was a noticeable shift from tradition, but electric lighting was becoming more common throughout Europe.
The castle felt somewhat empty this year, with many servants sent home to be with their families. The cold winter outside had covered Hechingen and Germany in snow, creating a picturesque snowy landscape.
While Germany was experiencing a white Christmas, the land of East Africa, far to the south, remained in a spring-like climate. There, the East African government had organized Christmas celebrations for its residents.
As the year 1867 drew to a close, it marked a significant year for East Africa. The colony had gained control over the entire territory of Tanzania and Kenya, with half a million immigrants now residing there. East Africa was emerging as a political entity participating in international affairs.