Even with the realization of the importance of education and the progress we have made on numerous fronts in ensuring adequate and affordable education in our countries, there still lies a huge gap between what is expected or demanded and our current reality.
Children in Africa still face a number of problems of education in Africa that will enable them not only help themselves individually but also become valuable human resources in their countries.
So while we can keep lamenting about the brain drain in Africa or just complain about the quality of education in our countries, we could instead consider these problems of education, identify the ones that apply to our localities and figure out solutions to them.
Here are some common problems of education in Africa;
Lack Of Classrooms
Without a classroom, it is really much of a task to apply oneself to the intricacies of learning. You are left at the mercy of the elements and overcome with distractions. Yet this is the reality of millions of children; overcrowded classrooms, classrooms that are falling apart, or just simply learning outside. Basic facilities are also lacking with running water and toilets a fanciful dream.
Exclusion Of Children With Disabilities
Children with disabilities do not stand much of a chance in most African classrooms. No consideration is paid to any special needs that they may have, its a combination of discrimination, lack of training in inclusive teaching methods among teachers, and a straightforward lack of disabled accessible schools. For this reason one of the problems of education in Africa is that most disabled children are left behind, denied a right to education.
Living In Countries In Conflict
Countries in conflict or even countries with just a whisper of possible conflict hanging around ground the progress of education. The destruction of education systems are often a casualty of war; governments stop functioning, teachers and students flee their homes, and continuity of learning is greatly disrupted. Unfortunately, education has thus far been a very low priority in humanitarian aid to countries in conflict.
Hunger And Poor Nutrition
Nutrition is vital in learning. Everything from adequate brain development to poor immune systems that allow the incidence of disease affect the students even when all other needs are met. Stunting can affect a child’s cognitive abilities as well as their focus and concentration in school.
Distance Between Homes And Schools
Many children have to embark on long and hazardous journeys to school, a reality that discourages some from even bothering to go at all. Imagine combining household chores with a 2 hour journey to and fro school daily. Many of this children, especially girls, are also vulnerable to violence in the course of this journey.
Expense Of Education
One of the problems of education in Africa is that education is expensive period. Especially with the lack of adequate funding for the education system in most African countries. For some of the poorest families, even the supposedly free of charge educational institutions, designated so by the government, have a number of indirect fees attached in the form of uniform or textbook fees. So while The Universal Declaration of Human Rights makes clear that every child has the right to a free basic education, so that poverty and lack of money should not be a barrier to schooling, the reality is a little more difficult to see in Africa.
No Teachers Or Poorly Trained Teachers
There are simply not enough teachers globally to achieve universal primary education (let alone secondary), and many of the teachers that are currently working are also untrained, leading to children failing to learn the basics, such as maths and language skills.