Education In Africa

Education brings about enlightenment which is a precursor to development. I always have this vision of a new developed Africa which comes as a result of the education of her people. I dream of an Africa where her people are at the forefront of scientific research and technological innovations rather than depending on other nations. I itch for African science, methodologies, African research, African technology and every other thing African. I dream of an enlightened Africa where everyone has access to quality education. I dream of an Africa where educational talent is encouraged and extolled. I dream of an Africa where her citizens especially the young ones are educated not just on the realms of science and technology but on the other aspects of life and nature. Through African education, they will come to appreciate nature and the life around them. They will learn and strive to harmonize their innovations, technologies, culture etc with nature thereby making for a peaceful co-existence. They will also learn to accommodate themselves, eschewing vice and embracing virtue; a priceless attribute in a core African society. I dream of an Africa where, through education, the leaders will learn to imbibe leadership qualities choosing equity and selflessness instead of greed, egocentrism and corruption. I dream of a well ordered Africa where the leaders really understood what it means to be one and the people are enlightened to seek for their rights, their freedom, and knowing their duties as citizens, strive to keep them; thus building up a stronger and better African society which will be the model of all nations worldwide.

The journey towards an educated and developed Africa had suffered various drawbacks right from the very first step. Essentially, it is the slave trade and consequent colonialization of Africa that contributed to the major drawbacks towards an enlightened Africa. Scholars have argued that it is the slave trade that prevented Africa from witnessing its own industrial/technological revolution just like other continents of the known world. As a result of this, Africa remains till today an undeveloped continent commonly referred to as “third world” or “dark continent”. Denied of her capability to evolve her own indigenous technology, Africa has over the years come to depend heavily on foreign innovations. The extent of an African now depends on how outside powers let him. This absolute dependence inhibits us from looking inside ourselves and create something out of our great ingenuity.

African nations have become overtly conscious of quick monetary gain that none is willing to invest heavily on education as they see it as a white elephant project. The standard of education is very low. Ironically, the cost of education is very high; too high for an average African. Governments never bother to train the young minds among them. Some even develop strategies to keep them in perpetual ignorance.

I hope we grow in Africa.