Aminou Laouali’s Post

The education system in Africa is diverse and varies significantly across different countries, but some common challenges and structures can be observed throughout the continent. Here is an overview of the general education system in Africa, including primary, secondary, and higher education. Levels of education are divided into the following: primary, secondary, and higher education. Many African countries are affected by the quality of education in a system that requires most countries to have testing to enter a school in the United States. Efforts to improve education in Africa have been multi-faceted, involving national governments, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector initiatives. These efforts aim to address various challenges, including access, quality, equity, and relevance of education. Here are some notable efforts and initiatives:

While no country in Africa can boast of the complete achievement of the UN’s SDG4, there are countries that are incredibly close, as seen in the most recent Financing Africa report, by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. These countries’ SDG4 ratings indicate that they are already on par with some of the world’s leading educational institutions. With that said, here are the 10 African countries with the highest SDG 4 ratings.

Last month, I participated in a panel on Educating the African Child for the 21st Century at the 3rd GPE KIX Continental Symposium on Research in Education in Africa. Held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from November 20 to 22, this event brought together educators, researchers, and policymakers from across the continent to discuss the future of education in Africa.    Many of Africa’s educational challenges today are deeply tied to broader governance issues and the mismanagement of resources allocated for education. During my intervention, I emphasised a critical point: future education reform in Africa must prioritise a curriculum that empowers learners-young and old- to actively participate in shaping governance at the national and institutional levels.    Research on education and the labour market has shown that many African countries are preoccupied with changing curricula to make system graduates more readily employable. However, this approach must be revised because, despite increasing educational investments, the number of formally educated unemployed African youth continues to rise. That is because reform is rarely in sync with the broader socioeconomic and political contexts of which education is only a tiny part.    In my intervention, I also called on African governments to reduce their dependency on external donors to fund education. Africans are best placed to design and fund the key educational reforms needed for our continent’s progress—just as countries like South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore have done. Despite some African delegates at international conferences calling for increased donor funding for education, as though it is a right to be given, many African countries already possess the natural and human resources needed to build and support effective educational systems.     #EducationForAll #GPEKIX 

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: 𝐀 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 📚 Education is a cornerstone of sustainable development, and Africa is taking bold steps forward. The African Union has declared 2024 the 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, focusing on inclusive and quality education for all. Despite the significant progress made in recent years, many African children still face barriers to learning, from a lack of resources to inadequate infrastructure. 👩🏽🏫 This initiative calls for renewed investments in 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and foundational learning, ensuring that all children—regardless of their background—can access the tools they need to succeed in a fast-evolving world. 🔑 Ensuring inclusive education is not only about closing the gaps in access but also about 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. By investing in quality education, we invest in the future of our continent. 🌍 Join the conversation: How can we, as a community, contribute to improving education for our youth? Source: Learn more from the African Union’s education priorities for 2024 [https://lnkd.in/eQhBJB7j]. #YearOfEducation2024 #TransformEducationAfrica #InclusiveEducation #AUYearOfEducation #QualityEducationForAll #SegunAinaFoundation

Africa faces significant challenges in achieving equitable and inclusive education. 1.Funding Gap - The continent needs an additional $40 billion to meet its education goals by 2030. 2. Inadequate Infrastructure & Resources- Shortages of qualified teachers, poor learning outcomes, and limited access to technology hinder progress. 3.Skills Mismatch: The rapidly changing world demands new skills, requiring a reimagined education system. The Continental Conference on Education in Mauritania (Dec 9-11) will bring together leaders to: 1. Strengthen Advocacy for increased investment and support for African education. 2.Foster Collaboration between governments, institutions, and stakeholders. 3. Build Resilient Systems to provide access to quality, relevant, and lifelong learning for all Africans.

For me,as a champion for Climate Action and Life on Land, I stand also with Quality Education. It's apparent that in many African countries, education that is offered to the majority who are poor,it's dubious. We need also to interrogate ourselves what kind of education do we inculcate in our younger generation because,the current generation as I speak is yes educated,no one is ignorant but the level of joblessness in Africa raises eyebrows. Universities and other higher Learning institutions are in a continuum of producing more graduates than the number of jobs the country can create! Therefore begging another question, what can we do to ensure that we secure a fair future as young people? It goes back to Education,,,I believe that something must be done whereby,The education we receive should be geared towards a specific goal and purpose. Let's delve in Skills, Gifts and Talents bestowed in young people and leverage them.Young people in Africa need proper education on Skills, talents and gifts they possess to solve some economic questions of the Because Majority are ignorant on these three variables. The education system must cascade and cultivate a culture and a Framework that will leverage the Talents, gifts in Africa #Education #SDGs #Unesco #UNEP #UNESCO

Across the continent, Africa is experiencing a period of immense growth and transformation. To propel this progress forward, we require a generation equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the 21st century. Traditional approaches that focus solely on rote learning no longer suffice. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy are becoming essential tools. To address this critical topic, we're hosting a webinar titled “Are African Education Curricula Effectively Preparing Citizens for the Future?” as we align with the African Union Year of Education to tackle one of the most pressing questions of our time. 🗓️ Date: June 26th, 2024. Our discussion will address critical issues within the African education system, including outdated curricula, lack of practical skills training, and insufficient alignment with the job market demands. These challenges are hindering the potential of Africa's youth to thrive in an increasingly competitive and digital world. We are excited to bring together major stakeholders and experts in education to explore innovative solutions and pathways forward. Stay tuned for speaker announcements! In the meantime, register now for free to be a part of this vital conversation on shaping the future of education in Africa. https://bit.ly/TEPAU8 #Education #Webinar #AfricanUnion #FutureOfEducation #EducationReform #YouthEmpowerment #TEPCentre #TEPWebinar

How can second chance #education (flexible opportunities for individuals to resume learning after missing formal schooling) transform lives and economies in #Africa? As H.E. Prof. Mohamed Belhocine highlighted during recent African Union Education,Science, Tech & Innovation Department & UNICEF Middle East and North Africa webinar, it's not just about learning—it's about restoring dignity, offering hope, and bridging education equity gaps. “It is about creating a world where education is not just a privilege for the few, but a right for all.” Read the PR: https://lnkd.in/dUkAxEJF What are your thoughts? #EducationForAll #YearOfEducation

Africa’s tertiary education landscape is shifting rapidly, with a growing number of high-quality universities and international collaborations across the continent. Enrollment in higher education institutions rose to nearly 9.3 million students in 2020, driven by a predominantly young population, with over 60% under age 25. This rise not only keeps billions of dollars within African economies but also reflects the increasing stability and peace in many countries, making local education a viable and appealing option. Key institutions such as University of Cape Town, Ashesi University in Ghana, and Stellenbosch University now rank internationally, thanks to investments in research, partnerships with top global universities, and quality teaching. These developments indicate that the continent's universities are reclaiming educational standards, a critical factor for Africa's economic future. For the African diaspora, this growth presents a chance to engage with local education opportunities, either through direct involvement or investment, knowing that the continent’s education standards continue to improve. High-quality, accessible tertiary education is essential to creating a skilled workforce that can fuel African industries, reducing dependence on education abroad and fortifying economic growth. #AfricaEducation #StudyInAfrica #HigherEducation #YouthEmpowerment

Join me in celebrating Africa Day! Today is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the African Union on May 25, 1963. This year's theme follows this overarching theme: "Education Fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”. In line with this, please join us in celebrating Africa Day by engaging in conversations and sharing insights on the future of education in Africa. Together, we can create a more industry-oriented education system that not only meets the needs of local, continental and global employers but also ensures that every African child will be equipped with the critical skills necessary to seize the opportunities of the jobs of the 21st century. I would like to advocate for PPPs to establish school-factories within African higher education institutions. This could help to bridge the gap between theoretical education and real-world professional skills and ultimately accelerate the industrialization of the continent as well as the creation of formal jobs in Africa. As we celebrate Africa Day with the theme "Education Fit for the 21st Century," I call upon all stakeholders, in particular the private sector as well as corporate foundations to join me in this transformative journey. Education is not just a foundational element for individual success but a foundation for the sustainable development and prosperity of a continent that is expected to account for more than a third of the global youth population by 2050. #Africa #AU #Education #industryorientededucation #youth #Africanyouth #usineecole #schoolfactory #employability #Africaindustrialization ##PPP