African Leader Urges ‘Break with the Past’ and ‘Knowledge-Based’ Education Systems

Take a look at this press statement from Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaoré urging that African education systems “train people to contribute to development … so that the individual can become more productive, live and work harmoniously and in essence contribute to development.”

Africa’s educators should “break with the past and move forward with scientific knowledge, as well as with technology and innovations in our education systems. Our systems need to be knowledge-based, with schools open to society,” he said.

This view seems to dovetail with the United Nations Secretary General’s Global Education First Initiative which is designed to “ensure quality, relevant (my emphasis) and transformative education for everyone.”

The United Nations Secretary General’s report for Global Education First says that this “entails changing the way education is organized — making content more relevant to contemporary life and global challenges, introducing innovative and participatory teaching and learning styles. We must rethink the purpose of education and prepare students for life, not exams alone.” See an infographic explaining Global Education First here.

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) currently works in 54 countries, and 33 of these are in Africa.

What do you think a “relevant” education is in Africa? Or in your own home country? Please add your comments below.

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