Institutrices et instituteurs français à Madagascar sous la Troisième République (1896–1939): Éléments de compréhension d'un groupe social en situation coloniale

This article focuses on a particular social group working in the colony of Madagascar: French teachers, representatives of France's "civilizing mission." While taking gender distinctions into account, it examines the various motives of these teachers for leaving the metropole for a long colonial career, the evolution of school politics and teacher's positions, and their reflections on colonialism and colonized populations. The goal is to cast new light on this important group, which was responsible for educating the Malagassy elite that came to power after independence.