There is a strong call for strengthening universities and research in the new Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025. Its objectives include boosting postgraduate and post-doctoral education and growing competitive awards to nurture young academics, more international research cooperation and expanding centres of excellence and institutional links.
The strategy, approved by heads of state attending the 26th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa last Sunday 31 January, also urges governments to honour their commitment to spend 1% of gross domestic product on research and to create “conducive environments” for research and innovation by providing adequate infrastructure and resources.
Tertiary education and research have been given more stress than in previous education statements, reflecting continental realisation of their importance to growth and development.
The Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025 is driven by a desire to achieve quality education and training that provides the continent with “efficient human resources adapted to African core values and therefore able to achieve the vision and ambitions of the African Union”.
The guiding principles are that knowledge societies are driven by skilled human capital; holistic, inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning is a sine qua non for sustainable development; and good governance, leadership and accountability are paramount.
The guiding principles are that knowledge societies are driven by skilled human capital; holistic, inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning is a sine qua non for sustainable development; and good governance, leadership and accountability are paramount.
Africa’s education pyramid has a broad base of 79% participation at the primary level, a “very narrow middle” of 50% participation at secondary level and a “microscopic” top of 7% at tertiary level. Also, education systems are of low quality, they are failing to articulate with economic and social sectors, and there are inequalities and exclusion at all levels.