This report is the result of a successful collaboration between UNICEF and the African Union Commission. The report intends to contribute to the facilitation of high-level policy discussions between national education authorities, regional and continental bodies on possible strategic shifts and interventions to boost access to education and improve the quality of teaching and learning in Africa. The report provides evidence-based analysis of the situation of education in Africa while putting into perspective the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16–25) in line with the African Union Agenda 2063. It highlights the progress made in the continent’s education sector over the past decade (2010–2020) while pointing out the challenges that remain, particularly in the area of equity. This report comes at a time when the global context (health, education, financial systems) is severely challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, from which Africa is not exempted. While much of the data presented in the report predates the pandemic, it also describes how some African countries have responded
to the COVID-19 crisis in innovative ways, such as by offering distance education to children, combining high-tech and low-cost solutions to ensure the safe continuity of learning while schools were closed. The pandemic can be seen as an opportunity to reimagine education in Africa, including safe, healthy and inclusive schools, greater use of digital technologies, and teachers who are well trained to bring these technologies to life to help children learn. With such a young population (3 out of 5 Africans are under 25 years old), it is now time for African governments to
boost their investment in education in order not to miss the current window of opportunity. Harnessing the continent’s demographic dividend and investing in human capital can deliver huge impact and results in and for Africa. UNICEF and the African Union Commission hope that all African governments can act now to improve their education systems by allocating funds more fairly and efficiently despite the additional fiscal pressure that the COVID-19 pandemic has created. Eliue Kipcho, the Kenyan Marathon world record holder, once said, “The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second-best time to plant a tree is today.” UNICEF and the African Union Commission appeal to all African governments to seize the opportunity and renew their commitments to enhance the governance and efficiency of education services through digital transformation, reimagining education systems and skills acquisition to meet the needs of a growing digital economy.
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