The plight of education in Africa as underfunding persists

Across Africa, there is still very limited access to education.
Even when accessible, there is a huge discrepancy in the quality of education offered.
In a forum held in Tanzania, policymakers have urged governments to increase investment in education.

Education in Africa is poorly funded. In one too many countries, poor funding of education systems is an understatement. The African Union, designated this year, 2024, as its ‘Year of Education,’ and as we enter the last quarter of the year, stakeholders are asking, what have we learned about education in Africa?

The pros and cons of Africa’s education system were most recently highlighted at an education conference, held by the East African Community (EAC) member countries in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa. Themed “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Collective Action for Quality, Inclusive, and Life-long Learning in East Africa,” the conference sought to assess progress and challenges that face its member states and how to best align with the continent’s overall education agenda.

Despite what can be described as noteworthy efforts, such as attempts to harmonize education systems across the EAC and the facilitation of student and staff mobility, education in the EAC is far from in par with the rest of the continent let alone the world.

For one, there is still very limited access to education, and even when accessible, there is huge discrepancy in the quality of education offered across the EAC eight Member States.

Then there are the logistical queries, like the seemingly insurmountable insufficiency of teachers or the unfathomable inadequacy of financing and financing tools. As a matter of fact, even in this digital age, integration of technology in education in the EAC remains a paramount challenge.

For these reasons, education experts at the conference called for “…greater collaboration among EAC member states and international partners to address the region’s educational challenges.”

Whether it has been heard or not, is a question yet to be answered but this plea for help to improve the EAC education quality and systems, is justified, and long overdue for that matter.

According to the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, the sought after harmonisation of education in the EAC “…would ensure quality and standardised education which would in turn guarantee skilled and tech-savvy manpower for the labour market in the region.”

The diplomat reassures stakeholders that the EAC does in fact have what he describes as “…a common framework of reference to facilitate comparability, compatibility, equation and mutual recognition of education/training systems and qualifications among Partner States.”

“Our Partner States also have a shared view on quality, criteria, standards and learning outcomes on the education sector…(when in effect) this would spur mobility of students and labour in East Africa and foster integration,” he told stakeholders.

Tanzania hosts EAC conference on education

The host of the summit was Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan who has been commended for emphasizing the urgency for increased investment in education, and backing the rhetoric with favourable education policies in her own country.

Notably, Tanzania has initiated significant policy reforms in an effort to improve its education access, quality, and relevance.

“These reforms include extending compulsory schooling from seven to ten years by 2027/28, we have conducted a major review of our curriculum, increased investment in the education sector and we are working to increase our teachers number and quality,” she told stakeholders at the conference.

She also highlighted the fact that her government is placing increased emphasis on vocational training as a complimentary avenue to equip its youth with practical skills that are relevant to the job market and to empower them to self-employ.

She admitted that good education is the key to national development, that an educated youth workforce adds more value and instead of been dependent, they become producers. The president said it is only by educating its youth that any country can hope to develop and stay competitive against the global competition.

There are no qualms as to the fact that education is an integral part of economic development, so why are African countries, and more so those in East Africa, slow to gear all their efforts to this sector?

The value of education in Africa

Education helps to provide the needed skilled workforce for a country’s development. It is also thanks to education that a country can encourage innovation, which in turn creates new market opportunities and jobs as well as boosts business growth.

“Investing in education can create a highly skilled workforce that can better understand the needs of businesses, design solutions tailored to those needs, and increase overall productivity,” comments researchers from the Gray Group research institute.

In a 2024 report titled Education and Economic Development: Exploring Their Symbiotic Bond, the researchers contend; “Improving access to education across all societal strata is key to fostering a diverse and competent workforce that can respond to various industry demands.”

The connection between education and economic development is obvious because not only are educated citizens are more employable but they can also take higher value-added roles in the labour force which in turn equals to increased GDP output.

“Indirectly, education also creates positive externalities in society by improving general knowledge, promoting innovation, creating new businesses, fostering entrepreneurship, and increasing health outcomes through better access to healthcare information,” attest the report authors.

To sum it all up, the report seems to remind African leaders who are still holding back investment in education that’ “Educational investment leads to better job prospects with more significant earning potential, enabling individuals to support themselves and their families financially… an educated population with access to knowledge and resources that enable them to solve daily problems, contributes to social progress and improved quality of life.”

And; “Education is an essential factor in reducing poverty and inequality. It provides people with the skills and knowledge necessary to get better jobs and higher wages, enabling them to escape poverty.”

Finally; “Education also strengthens social mobility, allowing individuals to climb the socioeconomic ladder through merit rather than birth or luck.”