Education: Africa's Answer?
History Doesn’t Repeat Itself; It Often Rhymes - Mark Twain
Malik Djinadou
Our post today sets out on a crucial journey to challenge the prevailing belief that formal education is the solution to Africa's problems. In a world where knowledge is power, education is often considered the universal answer to most socio-economic issues. This first part of our series delves into the historical and current realities that have shaped African education. We scrutinize the remnants of colonial influence and question cultural assumptions to explore how they have influenced the education system. As we peel back the layers of history and confront the complexities of the present, we aim to uncover the truth behind the axion: is education really the solution to Africa's problems?
Education Defined:
Education, as defined by Oxford Languages, is a process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schools, colleges or universities, to improve knowledge and develop skills. Practically, this is often interpreted as possessing a post-secondary diploma.
The Historical Context of African Education
It's important to acknowledge that African history is not limited to the colonial era. Prior to the arrival of foreigners, the continent was home to advanced empires with thriving socio-economic structures. Education was a communal enterprise, from the prestigious universities of Timbuktu to the indigenous knowledge systems of the Khoisan. These societies had a well-crafted education system that aimed to maintain economic, social, and cultural stability. The education system was designed to prepare both boys and girls to understand the physical, social, and spiritual world of their time and equip them with skills that would make them productive and useful members of society.
The education system of these societies promoted communal ideologies, which meant that people learned skills that would benefit not only themselves but also their entire community. This ensured that skills that were beneficial to everyone were continuously passed on.
Traditional African Education
Traditional African education typically had the following cardinal goals:
To develop the child’s latent physical skills;
To develop character;
To inculcate respect for elders and those in position of authority;
To develop intellectual skills;
To acquire specific vocational training and to develop a healthy attitude towards honest labour;
To develop a sense of belonging and to participate actively in family and community affairs;
To understand, appreciate and promote the cultural heritage of the community at large.
Thus, education, in its traditional sense, goes beyond just academic knowledge; but distills the know how of life, not only socioculturally, but also vocationally. This directly teaches people to create value for themselves and others, leading to the prosperity of the whole.
The Traditional Pathway
The conventional pathway of 'school, job, success' seems effective in developed countries where the educated often tend to be happier and wealthier. However, in Africa, particularly in former French colonies, this pathway does not always guarantee financial success despite the high value placed on education.
Current Challenges
Today, the problem is that in many African countries, unemployment is high, even amongst the highly educated. The 2017 ILO estimates show that across Africa, the youth unemployment rate among those with an advanced or intermediate level of education is higher than for those with basic education! In Mali, young people with advanced and intermediate education are more likely to be without a job than those with basic education. The rates are similarly high in Tunisia, Egypt, and Cape Verde. Many people are condemned to performing menial or low paying jobs that hold little value or production to a developing economy. While leaders can be blamed for this issue, part of the problem also stems from cultural values. Africans place a high value on education, which is evident in the number of Africans who attain top academic degrees and become some of the most educated immigrant groups in the world. However, in Africa, there is often a lack of infrastructure to support knowledge-based education. A degree whose value doesn’t immediately translate to the needs of the society around will struggle to bear fruit. This is especially true in former French colonies, where the French colonial legacy in education has created challenges and inequalities that affect employment opportunities and outcomes.
French Colonial Legacy
The impact of the French colonial legacy on education in Africa extends beyond the mere structure of the educational systems; it is deeply rooted in the ideology of assimilation. French colonial policy aimed to turn Africans into Frenchmen, and education was considered a key tool in this process. Schools operating under the colonial regime were subject to stringent regulations: they could not operate without government permission, were required to employ government-certified teachers, and had to strictly follow a government-mandated curriculum. This meant that access to this education was not widespread, as the French only placed their schools in the locale they resided in. Moreover, French was the only language of instruction, effectively sidelining indigenous languages and cultures. This approach created a system focused predominantly on knowledge-based subjects like literature, philosophy, and history, all taught from a French perspective. These subjects were valued as sources of cultural and intellectual enrichment and tools for critical thinking and expression. However, this emphasis on a Eurocentric, knowledge-based education often did not align with African societies' practical needs and socio-economic contexts.
One of the challenges is the mismatch between the supply and demand of skills in the labour market. The French education system was designed to produce a small number of graduates who could fill the administrative and professional positions in the colonial bureaucracy or the metropolitan economy. However, after independence, the demand for these skills declined, while the supply increased, as more people sought higher education as a way to achieve social mobility and status. This resulted in many educated people not being able to find jobs that matched their qualifications and having to accept lower wages and working conditions.
The French colonial legacy in education contributed to the development of a literate and educated elite, which did not trickle down to the masses. Only a few could benefit from this system, which led to minimal infrastructure that could uphold this education-to-work pipeline. If only the elite could go to school, how can we expect the rest of society to do the jobs that require education that only the elites had access to? This situation led to a vicious cycle: since what the elites do, the mass wants to do, the mass will go to school, study the same things the elites study, and graduate to a system where there are not enough jobs for them.
Striking The Balance
However, it's important to pause and recognize that the evolution of education cannot negate the essential role of knowledge-based education. Despite the advocacy for skill-based learning, we must remember that many regions on the African continent still grapple with fundamental challenges such as low literacy levels.
While we advocate for a stronger emphasis on skill-based education to address the specific socio-economic needs of Africa, it's important to recognize that knowledge-based education remains a crucial component of our educational landscape. In many regions across the continent, bolstering literacy levels is still a fundamental challenge that needs continued attention. Literacy, as the foundation of knowledge-based education, is essential for individuals to effectively engage with the world, understand their rights, and access information that can improve their lives.
Knowledge-based education lays the groundwork for critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broader understanding of the world, which are all vital in a rapidly evolving global landscape. It plays a key role in fostering informed citizenship, ethical leadership, and cultural preservation. Therefore, while we shift our focus towards more practical and vocational training, we must also ensure that our efforts to improve literacy and knowledge-based education do not wane.
The goal should be to create an educational ecosystem that harmoniously blends skills training with knowledge-based learning. This approach not only prepares individuals for the immediate demands of the job market but also equips them with the intellectual tools necessary for lifelong learning and adaptation to future challenges. In essence, educational reforms should aim to produce well-rounded individuals who possess both the practical skills to contribute effectively to their communities and the intellectual capacity to navigate and shape an increasingly complex world.
A Path Forward
As we have explored, the landscape of African education is marked by a rich historical context and current challenges shaped by colonial legacies and cultural values. Understanding these elements is key to addressing the educational needs of the continent. Fortunately, our journey into this does not end here. In the upcoming article, we will shift our focus to actionable solutions and future-oriented strategies. We'll explore how Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and informal sector skills development can revolutionize African education. We will also discuss how bridging education with financial empowerment can create new opportunities for the continent. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we delve into these dynamic solutions and envision a path forward for African education.
The above video partly inspired this post. Naval lays a framework for how everyone can be rich through education. Take a minute to listen to his thoughts.
Great post Malik. It’s easy to assume that education in general will reap positive rewards for a society. I know it’s a trap I often fall into, so thank you for looking deeper. Looking forward to part 2!