Towards a Revolutionary Education and Teacher Development in Some Selected African Countries

Abstract

Many Africa nations face myriads of problems and challenges especially in their educational systems at the turn of the 21st century. The fact that Africa is at the bottom of education for all (EFA) and is fraught with the highest level of illiteracy globally, poverty, squalor, corruption, bad governance, political instability, socioeconomic inequalities and segregation, ethnic violence etc point to the fact that the educational system is in shambles. The problems education has solved in other countries of the world are still plaguing Africa. The role of quality education and teachers in promoting literacy and raising a high class of intellectuals and work force, who tackle problems, cannot be overemphasised. The study highlights the fact that nations devoid of effective teachers with inadequate degree of intellectual and professional background required for teachers’ assignment, poor level of commitment to teaching, lack of job satisfaction etc are bound to lag behind. Education is the key to modernisation but teachers hold the key to the door. No nation can be great or rise above the quality of its educational system and no educational system can rise above the quality of its teachers. The study looked at the situation in Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda. Teaching is perceived as a profession for non-performers. Teachers are down-trodden and despised. It is therefore not surprising the picture that Africa paints. There is urgent need for a great change in education and teacher development in Africa. The study recommends a revolution of the profession, by breaking all barriers to professionalism.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(1), 24-34, 2011