1. Presenter: Peliwe Lolwana
ADEA Biennale 2008
28 May 2019
ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa
Beyond Primary Education:
Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa
Session 7 A: Assessment
Improving the efficacy of assessment, certification and curriculum in the African education systems
Presenter: Peliwe Lolwana
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education
Mamadou Ndoye

2. ADEA Biennale 2008
28 May 2019
ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa
Beyond Primary Education:
Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa
Problem statement
Education in high and middle income countries has provided the human capital foundation to grow the economy and support democratic political dispensations
African education systems have failed to support economic development and fledging democracies
Benefits of education start to kick in at the higher levels of education.
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education
Mamadou Ndoye

3. Research explored ways to:
ADEA Biennale 2008
28 May 2019
ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa
Beyond Primary Education:
Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa
Research methodology
Research explored ways to:
Increase completion rates in primary education
Postpone selection in education till after 8 – 10 years of education
Broaden access to senior secondary education
Experiences of countries that have succeeded in massifying school education have been studied and compared to experiences in SSA education systems
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education
Mamadou Ndoye

4. Research methodology
Research was only limited to secondary sources of information. Also, transformation of education requires a wider scope of intervention than just curriculum and assessment, including the availability of resources and the capacity in the system
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

5. ADEA Biennale 2008
28 May 2019
ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa
Beyond Primary Education:
Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa
Main results
Curricula for the masses, not a selected few is characterised by depth and breadth and a mixture of forms of curriculum
Successful countries have extended basic education to the statutory school leaving age (15/16 years)
High stakes examinations have been moved up the school ladder – end of high school.
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education
Mamadou Ndoye

6. Main results
Many SSA countries have not reviewed their curriculum for a long time, and curriculum tends to take the syllabus form in the main.
Examinations play a major selective role in the SSA systems, at end of primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary education.
SSA countries generally perform poorly in international tests signifying that these children are not learning as much or up to expected standards than other countries.
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

7. ADEA Biennale 2008
28 May 2019
ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa
Beyond Primary Education:
Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa
Main lessons learned
Only a few, the wealthier section of society in SSA access higher levels of education
External examinations at the end of primary education militate against progression beyond primary level
Poor quality in education characterised by poor curriculum, poor teacher qualifications, and premature introduction of a foreign language, support early selection in education
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education
Mamadou Ndoye

8. Main lessons learned
Examinations are used to select students as well as to indicate standards of education. Few countries have other effective monitoring systems like national assessments and inspections.
On one hand SSA are attempting to internationalise their curriculum system through processes that are not helpful to them (NQFs) and on one hand there is not enough co-operation and benchmarking within the region.
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education

9. Conclusions: Main messages
ADEA Biennale 2008
28 May 2019
ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa
Beyond Primary Education:
Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa
Conclusions: Main messages
A new social order is being created by education, where only a few can attain higher levels of education in most SSA countries.
Education ministries wield enormous power in defining what school education is for and providing it to the majority. Central to this is good curriculum that is reviewed consistently
Primary education examinations are counter-productive to expanding learning opportunities in Africa
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education
Mamadou Ndoye

10. Conclusions: Main messages
Instead of a highly selective education system, other methods to strengthen the quality of education must be established:
Quality teacher development programs
National and international assessments
Inspection and support to schools and classrooms
Second chance educational opportunities for those who fall out should be an integral part of a system that aims to expand educational opportunities for nations.
Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education