Back to the Blackboard

This executive summary from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that while Universal Primary Education (UPE) is a noble goal, it is insufficient on its own to drive Africa's economic development. The document highlights critical shortages in teacher quantity and quality, the neglect of secondary education, and the severe impact of HIV/Aids on the schooling system. It calls for a comprehensive strategy that includes increased funding, curriculum reform, and a focus on secondary education to bridge the skills gap and improve the continent's global economic competitiveness.

• Sub-Saharan Africa faces a severe crisis in primary education access and completion. According to the United Nations, over 40 million children—nearly half of the continent's primary school-age population—are not in school, with girls making up approximately two-thirds of this group. Furthermore, fewer than 50% of children in Africa finish primary school.
• The pursuit of Universal Primary Education (UPE) is hindered by a lack of resources and slow progress. At current enrolment growth rates, Africa will not achieve UPE until at least 2150. Many countries lack the funds to implement their plans, with the poorest nations spending an average of 15% of their revenue on debt servicing. To support education, an additional $1 billion to $2 billion in upfront commitments from donors is required.
• There is a critical shortage and quality gap regarding teachers. Unesco estimates the continent needs at least three million more teachers to handle increasing enrolments. The profession struggles to attract top talent because teachers are paid poorly, leading competent educators to seek better-paying roles.
• Secondary education is severely neglected despite its importance for economic value. The World Bank estimates that only about 25% of primary school graduates enrol in secondary school, and only 10% of those students complete their education.
• HIV/Aids significantly undermines educational goals by forcing children to leave school to care for family and by killing educators. UNAids predicts that by 2005, up to 20% of educators in sub-Saharan Africa will have died from Aids. Conversely, completing primary school can reduce the risk of young people contracting HIV by half.
• Performance in mathematics and science is poor compared to international standards. In the 1998 Third International Mathematics and Science Study Repeat, South Africa scored an average of 275 out of 800, which was significantly lower than the international average of 487 and behind countries such as Malaysia, Chile, and Indonesia.

APA

Govender, P., & Gruzd, S. (2004). Back to the Blackboard. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Nepad-Education-Book-FinalExecSummaryreduced.pdf

Chicago

Govender, Peroshni, and Steven Gruzd. Back to the Blackboard. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2004. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Nepad-Education-Book-FinalExecSummaryreduced.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Govender |first1=Peroshni |last2=Gruzd |first2=Steven |title=Back to the Blackboard |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=2004 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Nepad-Education-Book-FinalExecSummaryreduced.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{govender2004back, author = {Govender, Peroshni and Gruzd, Steven}, title = {{Back to the Blackboard}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2004}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Nepad-Education-Book-FinalExecSummaryreduced.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }