Education in Africa

The history of education in Africa can be divided into pre-colonial and post-colonial periods.[1] Since the introduction of formal education by European colonists to Africa, education, particularly in West and Central Africa, has been characterized by both traditional African teachings and European-style schooling systems.[2]

The state of education in this modern African society, reflects not only the effects of colonialism but also the instability resulting from and exacerbated by armed conflicts in many regions of Africa, as well as the lack of importance still placed on education in terms of gender, and the lack of financial strength—which is seen as internal factors. On the other hand, other external factors includes; lack of trained professional teachers in some regions or system, lack of physical infrastructures, and inconsistency in the educational system.

Although the quality of education and the quantity of well-equipped schools and well-qualified teachers has been steadily increasing since the beginning of the colonial period, evidence of inequality still exists in the educational systems based on region, economic status, and gender.[3][4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Walters, Leoné; Chisadza, Carolyn; Clance, Matthew (3 October 2023). "The Effect of Pre-Colonial Ethnic Institutions and European Influences on Contemporary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa". The Journal of Development Studies. 59 (10): 1469–1490. doi:10.1080/00220388.2023.2222211. ISSN 0022-0388.
  3. ^ "Education". UNICEF. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  4. ^ Moyo, Bhekinkosi (6 September 2016). "A new era for African philanthropy". Alliance Magazine. Retrieved 2 April 2021.