Need For Setting Goals To Improve Higher Education System In Africa

The education scenario in Africa has been facing several challenges since the past few years. The governments have taken several steps to create an enhanced learning environment, but with growing number of out-of-school kids due to poverty, terrorist attacks and political issues, the situation seems to remain same. However, recently a continental summit was held where academics, entrepreneurs, international development partners and even governments got together to create a common vision for improving the higher education system in Africa.

The Higher Education Summit

From March 10th to 12th, ministers of education, heads of state, academics, international development partners and entrepreneurs took part in the 3-day event held in Dakar, Senegal to talk about the challenges and priorities for the higher education systems in Africa in the coming 50 years. The summit was organised by Trust Africa and provided a platform for getting all stakeholders together from different parts of the continent. The goal was to develop a meaningful and common vision that will significantly help in improving the education sector so that it can cater to the nation's requirements in the 21st century.

President of Senegal, Macky Sall, and Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, inaugurated the continental summit and challenged all the members to work out a declaration of common goals for Africa's higher education system. President Sall said “The rate of access to higher education in Africa is trailing at 7%, compared to 76% in the West. There is an urgent need to facilitate access and build capacity in African universities.”

Dr. Dlamini-Zuma believes the main focus was on the ability of the continent to adapt its teaching methods, curriculum and research to the demands and needs of the changing world. He said “We produce too few PhDs, medical doctors, engineers, scientists, project managers, and mathematicians. Our youthful population is confronted with an aging academic and research community which limits opportunities for innovation and expansion.”

Need For Firm Commitments

The fact is strong commitments are required from the governments to restructure higher education in Africa. Moreover, a long-term vision coupled with broader partnerships and substantial sustainable investment is also needed. The platform created for stakeholders by the summit aimed to achieve this goal, focusing on questions of gender, partnerships, funding, employability, access and equity.

Regarding the impact of strong partnerships, Kofi Annan, Chair of Africa Progress Panel and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, said “Partnerships with the private sector can overcome the mismatch between the needs of African employers and the skills of its young graduates. Otherwise, university degrees will not secure the jobs graduates expect, and that is a recipe for social and political, as well as economic trouble.”

Developing strategic partnerships between international donors and African universities is also essential. Regarding investment in higher education in Africa, Claudia Costin, Senior Director for Education at the World Bank Group, said at present “the World Bank invests 20% of its education budget for Sub-Saharan Africa in higher education, representing approximately $600 million.”

The Bottom Line

Currently, there is great optimism for students, educators and universities across the continent. The fact remains that Africa can reach it's full economic and social potential in future only with the help of a high performing education system.