Which among the following is appropriate about Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s article “literature in schools”?
[A] The article discusses the relevance and adequacy of the present education system
[B] It advocates teaching of European texts and literature to the students of the third world countries
[C] It reflects negatively upon the literature taught to the Kenyan students in national schools
[D] It argues that cultural imperialism distorts people’s vision of history
[E] It observes that European teachers are better equipped to teach literature to the Kenyan students
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is A, C and D only.

This question pertains to Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's critical views on education and literature in post-colonial Africa, particularly detailed in his essays such as "Literature in Schools" (often discussed in the context of his seminal book Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature). Let us analyze each statement to understand why this option is correct:

[A] The article discusses the relevance and adequacy of the present education system:
Ngũgĩ critically evaluates the colonial and post-colonial education systems in Kenya. He examines whether the curriculum is relevant to the cultural, historical, and social reality of African students, making this statement correct.

[B] It advocates teaching of European texts and literature to the students of the third world countries:
This statement is incorrect. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o strongly opposes the Eurocentric bias in literature curricula. Instead of advocating for European texts, he argues for centering African literature and oral traditions, placing European literature in a subordinate or secondary position.

[C] It reflects negatively upon the literature taught to the Kenyan students in national schools:
This statement is correct. Ngũgĩ points out that Kenyan students were being taught literature that alienated them from their own culture and history, focusing heavily on British and European writers while marginalizing local writers.

[D] It argues that cultural imperialism distorts people’s vision of history:
This statement is correct. A central thesis of Ngũgĩ's work is that colonial education and cultural imperialism act as a "cultural bomb" that makes people view their own history and heritage as a wasteland of non-achievement, thereby distorting their self-perception and historical vision.

[E] It observes that European teachers are better equipped to teach literature to the Kenyan students:
This statement is incorrect. Ngũgĩ does not argue that European teachers are superior or better equipped; rather, he emphasizes the need for local teachers, local languages, and local content to foster genuine intellectual and cultural independence.

Combining the correct statements (A, C, and D), we arrive at the option A, C and D only.