A young schoolteacher, Malo, comes from the city to a village where his idealistic approach to education riles the school administrator, Sango. Sango Malo offers American viewers the most intimate-and entertaining-introduction available to the complex social dynamic underlying economic and political change in a typical African village. Director Kobhio contrasts two concepts of education: a rigid Eurocentric curriculum designed to produce docile colonial administrators, represented by the headmaster; and a practical, development-centered education which will train self-reliant villagers, represented by the radical new teacher. When Malo's innovative ideas spread to the rest of the village, the traditional village leaders feel threatened and have him arrested. But he has taught his lessons well.