Final answer:
There is no specific number of Deaf schools in Africa by 1974 provided in the information. The historic context of education for minorities and the emphasis on education among Freedpeople after the abolition of slavery illuminate the global background against which Deaf education may have evolved in Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The information provided does not specify the exact number of Deaf schools in Africa by 1974. However, it does highlight the importance of education for Freedpeople after the establishment of Freedmen's schools, the vision of Dr. Gallaudet in creating a school for the deaf in Washington D.C., and the challenges and considerations faced by parents of deaf children. The push for education among African Americans after the abolition of slavery, and the eventual pressure for desegregated schools after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, show a broader historical context of minority education struggles which may parallel the development of educational institutions for the deaf in Africa to some degree.
It is important to recognize that the establishment and progress of schools for the deaf in Africa could have been influenced by multiple factors including cultural influences, economic resources, government policies, and international aide. The struggle for equal educational opportunities and recognition of minority groups and people with disabilities is a common thread in the history of education across the world.