Primary Education in Sub Saharan Africa
| Primary education in sub-Saharan Africa | | | 3/19/2012 | Policy Briefing Paper | | Primary education and enrolment levels in sub-Saharan Africa remain a major development issue in the 21st century. The region has seen levels of primary enrollment climb from 47% to 87% since 1950 (UN 2010). It is now evident that nearly everywhere in the world; there are currently more children in receipt of primary education than 15 years ago. Nevertheless, 15% of all children around the globe, and 25% of children in sub-Saharan Africa still do not. (UN 2010) |
Figure 1 Children receiving primary education. (UN 2010)
Figure 1 Children receiving primary education. (UN 2010)
Policy Briefing Paper
Why does it constitute a development issue?
Although there has been some progress in the proportions of children of primary school age actually receiving and completing primary education, about 100 million children worldwide are still denied this right. Not surprisingly, most of these children live in developing countries.
Figure 2 Children of primary school age not primary education. Expressed in millions (One 2012)
Figure 2 Children of primary school age not primary education. Expressed in millions (One 2012)
Figure 3 Distribution of out-of-school children by region. (UN 2010)
Figure 3 Distribution of out-of-school children by region. (UN 2010)
Jandhyala B. G. Tilak cited in the Journal of International Cooperation in Education (2009) stated that “The importance of basic education for development is widely acknowledged” before going on to say that “basic education constitutes one of the most important means by which the poorest society can improve their situation and guarantee a life of dignity for their citizens.” (Jandhyala B. G 2009) Therefore it is evident that basic education particularly at a primary level should be a main component of any development strategy.
Many people accept that development in education could be a catalyst to help achieve
Figure 1 Children receiving primary education. (UN 2010)
Figure 1 Children receiving primary education. (UN 2010)
Policy Briefing Paper
Why does it constitute a development issue?
Although there has been some progress in the proportions of children of primary school age actually receiving and completing primary education, about 100 million children worldwide are still denied this right. Not surprisingly, most of these children live in developing countries.
Figure 2 Children of primary school age not primary education. Expressed in millions (One 2012)
Figure 2 Children of primary school age not primary education. Expressed in millions (One 2012)
Figure 3 Distribution of out-of-school children by region. (UN 2010)
Figure 3 Distribution of out-of-school children by region. (UN 2010)
Jandhyala B. G. Tilak cited in the Journal of International Cooperation in Education (2009) stated that “The importance of basic education for development is widely acknowledged” before going on to say that “basic education constitutes one of the most important means by which the poorest society can improve their situation and guarantee a life of dignity for their citizens.” (Jandhyala B. G 2009) Therefore it is evident that basic education particularly at a primary level should be a main component of any development strategy.
Many people accept that development in education could be a catalyst to help achieve
References: Dolan, S. (2012). Thanks to supporters, the Schools for Africa programme is reaching millions. Available: http://www.unicef.org/education/index_61242.html Last accessed 15/03/2012 Ford, L and Kavuma, R One.org. (2012). Education in sub-Saharan Africa. Available: http://www.one.org/c/us/progressreport/776/. Last accessed 15/03/2012. Potter et al. (2008). Chapter 5: People in the development process. In: Geographies of Development: An Introduction to Development Studies. 3rd ed. London: Prentice Hall. 222-224. Riddell, A (On behalf of UNESCO). (2003). The introduction of free primary education in sub-Saharan Africa. Available: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001469/146914e.pdf. Last accessed 15/03/2012. The World Bank United Nations Summit. (2010). Goal 2 Achieve Universal Primary Education. In: High-level Plenary meeting of the General assembly. New York: UN Department of Public Information. UNESCO