Timeless relevance of great works of literature

From the Star (Kenya).

"Professor of literature and stylistics Henry Indangasi has, when occasion demands, expressed reservations about curriculum changes in the Literature department after a conference on the Teaching of Literature held at Nairobi School in 1974.

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"African novel writing is a fairly recent phenomenon. European writing—be it in the novel, poetry and drama—spans centuries. Students of literature improve their appreciation of life in all its facets, when they are exposed to world literature. Literature is the best medium for instilling intercultural competence. The concept denotes the ability to function effectively across cultures, to think and act appropriately, and to communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds.

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"Tragically, the change in the English curriculum appears to have led to the loosening or weakening of standards in the choice of books for study at university. ..."