“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Nelson Mandela.

Importance of education in African children’s life

Children at birth take on the social and economic status of their parents. They are minors who socialize through education. Also, through education, children learn about their fundamental rights in society. Not only can children learn their rights through education, but education also guarantees the enjoyment of those rights.

Education will give children in Africa the necessary knowledge they need to exceed in life. Quality education of children will give hope to Africa to overcome the horrid past from which it be on its way to a brighter future.

Poor Education System in Africa

According to the African Union (AU), It is widely accepted that most of Africa’s education and training programs suffer from low-quality teaching and learning. Even with a significant increase in the number of children with access to basic education, a considerable number remain out of school.

According to the strategic advisor for UNDP Africa, only 30 to 50% of secondary-school-aged children are attending school, while only 7 to 23% of tertiary-school-aged youth are enrolled.

What does the data say?

Of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion. Over one-fifth of children between the ages of about 6 and 11 are out of school, followed by one-third of youth between the ages of about 12 and 14.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Africa’s current primary school enrollment rate is above 80% on average, with the continent recording some of the biggest increases in elementary school enrollment globally in the last few decades.

How Poor Education Affects Children

Poor education systems influence a child’s educational achievement.

School enthusiasm reflects a child’s ability to succeed both academically and socially in a school environment. It is well proved that poverty and a poor education system decrease a child’s willingness for school.

Children from low-income families often do not receive the motivation to go to school. And as a result, they do not learn the social skills required to prepare them for school.

How we can improve

According to a recent study, Education has expanded dramatically in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past half-century. From 1970 to 2010, the percentage of children across the region who complete primary school rose by almost 50% (from 46% of children to 68%). The proportion of children completing lower secondary school nearly doubled (from 22% to 40%).

According to a leading website, there are a few steps from which we can begin to improve the education system in Africa.

Change the definition of ‘classroom’

According to the experts, to get the best results, education must adapt to the needs of the learner.

It is observed that beyond structured classrooms, knowledge can be acquired during seminars, community-based meetings, or even during group sports events.

Get local support

Innovations should be introduced as a grassroots effort to gain fair adoption and support.

Innovations can be supported by national legislation or with international funding.But local support and advocacy are also needed. Local information should be included in planning, investment, and implementation phases to customize programs.

Find a balanced way to introduce technology

The intro of technology into the classroom offers vast opportunities to improve learning.

To foster the expansion of digital learning, governments should also establish common learning platforms. They should introduce regulations that support innovation.

There is a proverb, “Where there’s a will there’s a way”. Today, there are many people who are determined to bring change to the education system in Africa. And they will keep on finding ways to improve it for the children’s better future.