Authors: Verspoor, Adriaan; Mattimore, Angel; Watt, Patrick

Source: A Chance to Learn, March 2001 , pp. 1-86(86)

Publisher: World Bank

Abstract:

Without rapid and substantial improvements in education access and quality, broader poverty reduction efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa will be thwarted. This report argues that at the cusp of the 21st century, the opportunity to address the often intractable problems of education in Sub-Saharan Africa is perhaps greater than at any time in the past two decades. Economic growth has resumed in many countries; the political commitment to education development is strong; and new democracies have created a more favorable environment for the participation of civil society and communities in policy formulation and program implementation. Also, information and communication technology offer new opportunities to overcome the constraints of distance and time. Finally, increased debt relief and stronger international partnerships in favor of education will help ease the financing constraints on accelerating education development. The report proposes a strategy and a program of action for the World Bank ' s Africa Region, which is striving to support countries in their efforts to accelerate education development. It summarizes the challenges facing education development in Africa, suggests key elements of country responses, discusses the implications of these responses, and proposes actions for improving the Bank ' s effectiveness as a partner in education development. In doing so, it lays the groundwork for future increases of World Bank support for education development in Africa.

Keywords: Africa (sub-Saharan); Educational financing; Access to education; Primary education; Basic education; Private education; Higher education; External finance; Achievement indicators; Scientific education; Armed conflicts; HIV infections; Autoimmune diseases; Fertility rates; Curriculum development; Teacher training; Technological innovations; Educational evaluation; Equity in education; Institutional capacity; Public spending; Allocation of resources; Fundraising; Regional cooperation; Lending strategy; Nonlending instruments; Educational policy; Portfolio performance; School enrollment; Enrolment ratio; Debt relief; Early childhood development; Quality of education; Girls ' education; Nomadic populations; Distance education; School health; Educational technology; Institutional reform

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2001-03-01

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