Academics

Academic Significance

Adams College provided Africans with an opportunity for gaining a good standard of education. It was the first college to offer the matric syllabus. An art degree, building diploma and teachers training course were also offered.

In 1922 Inkosi Albert Luthuli became the first African to be employed on the teaching staff at Adams, teaching isiZulu and Music and later being put in charge of school organization.
In 1925 Z.K. Matthews was the first African to be appointed head master of the high school with white staff under him.
In 1925 Robbins Guma was made a member of staff at the teachers’ training school; he was later to be the first African to act as the head of the training college of African teachers
Adams College was amongst the first African schools to:
• Introduce co-education (education for both boys and girls in 1910).
• Teach mathematics and science to Africans.
• Provide matriculation and post- matriculation courses (1931).
• Introduce sport development programme.
• Give responsible posts to Africans