Regional
Agreement Reached to Prevent UK Export of Human Capital
The British government and Commonwealth states agreed in September to stem the flow of teachers from developing countries to the United Kingdom. Representatives of more than 20 African and Caribbean countries had expressed alarm at the rate at which Britain is recruiting their teaching staff on higher salaries. Figures reveal that more than 5,500 teachers from Commonwealth countries transferred to British schools in 2003; the most (1,492) came from South Africa. Other countries that lost significant numbers of staff include Jamaica (523), Zimbabwe (268), Ghana (126) and Kenya (116). Private agencies sign up handfuls of teachers at a time to bring back to schools and education authorities, often with little concern for the impact the practice may have on local education systems.
Initial efforts to curb teacher transfers included agreements signed in 2003 that allowed agencies to recruit only to fill specific vacancies. In addition, agencies could not bring staff over to Britain on the promise of substitute work. These policies reduced the number of work permits issued to Commonwealth teachers from 7,261 to 5,564. Under the September code of practice signed between 23 of the Commonwealth countries facing the most acute problems and the Department for Education and Skills [1], teaching agencies will lose their “quality mark,” which guarantees ethical standards to schools, if they continue to recruit from any country experiencing recruitment problems.
— The Independent [2]
Sept. 2, 2004
Kenya
10 Degree Programs Scrapped
In line with directives from the Joint Admission Board [3] (JAB), Kenya’s centralized public university admissions body, public universities have begun to scrap programs that do not achieve full enrollment capacity. Ten degree programs were removed from the register at three of Kenya’s six public universities: Moi [4], Maseno [5] and Egerton [6]. At the same time, 23 new degree programs were added for the 2004-05 academic year.
The board has also resolved to establish a committee to work with private and public industry to gain a better understanding of their human resource needs. It is hoped universities would then be able to provide programs more relevant to the employment needs of the country.
— The East African Standard [7]
Aug. 14, 2004
Liberia
University Woes Continue as Hopes for Future Outlined
The University of Liberia [8] reopened for classes recently after an enforced closure of more than a year (see May/June 2004 WENR [9]). Now, the embattled university faces a leadership stalemate in a crisis that may force the institution to once again close its doors.
The acting president and longtime servant of the country’s only public university, James Kollie, has been asked to resign by the board of trustees to make way for Al Hassan Conteh, who was appointed by Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia Gyude Bryant. Faculty have fiercely protested Conteh’s appointment and are threatening to walk out if the decision is not reversed. Kollie’s dismissal also resulted in a weekend of violence on campus by students determined to block Conteh’s appointment. Despite the protests, Bryant stood by his decision, explaining that Conteh has the necessary contacts to forge partnerships with prestigious universities and also to bring in much-needed funds from abroad.
As the confusion and turbulence over the presidency continued in late September, Conteh revealed his plans for the revival of the university. He said he would host a two-day conference at the University of Pennsylvania in January to gain financial support for improving the university’s physical and academic infrastructure. Conteh said one of his top priorities is to set up an endowment fund and rally support from other universities around the world, particularly in the United States.
— The Analyst
Sept. 29, 2004
Nigeria
Length of Education Degree Program to Be Extended
Beginning with the 2005-06 academic year, the length of education degree programs will be extended from four years to five. The National Universities Commission [10], the federal body that oversees the administration of higher education in Nigeria, approved the decision in August.
— Nigeria First [11]
Aug. 12, 2004
NUC Bars Admission to Degree Programs
Eight universities were barred in July by the National Universities Commission [10] (NUC) from admitting students into various degree programs following their failure to meet quality assurance standards. As a result, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board [12] did not issue letters of admission to candidates who had applied for the programs in academic year 2004-05.
The affected programs are:
- Delta State University Abraka – accounting, banking/finance, business administration, marketing, English, French, forestry and wildlife management and geology; Ibadan University [13] – Igbo studies;
- University of Abuja – computer science and statistics;
- University of Ado – French, civil engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering; University of Jos [14] – African traditional religion;
- Abia State University – library science, education, English, social studies and government;
- Enugu State University of Science and Technology – education, integrated science, food science and technology;
- University of Calabar – special education.
— This Day [15]
July 27, 2004
Rwanda
Agreement Signed With Nigeria
The Rwandan government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Ministry of Education [16] for assistance in increasing access, expansion and the quality of education in the country, which is currently undergoing reform.
Rwandan Minister of Education Romain Murenzi stated that the sector would especially appreciate help with the establishment of a National Commission for Higher Education, a National Science and Vocational Authority and a National Institute for Education Development of distance learning programs for teachers.
— This Day [17]
Aug. 6, 2004
South Africa
New Textbooks, New History, New Reality
A project started by former Minister of Education Kader Asmal has been realized with the publication of a series of history textbooks for pupils in grades 10 to 12.
The books will change the way history is taught at schools and are part of a broader Department of Education plan to revitalize learning of South African history and end the teaching of what Business Day describes as propaganda. Education officials note the six textbooks provide a contextual framework, which was missing from previous history books.
The series includes a book examining the “impact and limitations” of colonialism and one on the apartheid era and another on negotiation, transition and democratic freedom. The federal government does not prescribe textbooks, as this is a provincial task, but it is expected the new textbooks will appear in most of the nation’s classrooms next year.
— Business Day [18]
Aug. 20, 2004
High Enrollment Exposes Bigger Problems
Education officials said in August that the number of students enrolling at higher education institutions has exceeded all projections and is putting pressure on both funding and quality. They also issued a warning that the growth in student numbers – 21 percent in the past three years – is unsustainable.
The Department of Education’s chief director, Ahmed Essop, told Parliament the department is trying to cap higher education enrollments over the next two to three years at the current level of about 720,000 students annually. He conceded, however, that enforcing a cap will be difficult, raising questions of institutional autonomy and whether government has a right to limit enrollments.
The problem is not only underfunding but also the number of students failing to graduate due to issues of institutional quality, he said. Of the 600,000 to 700,000 students enrolling annually, only approximately 15 percent graduate – a waste of resources, he said. Deputy Director-General for higher education Nasima Badsha said more resources would have to be dedicated to strengthen quality assurance procedures before addressing the enrollment problem.
— Business Day [18]
Aug. 25, 2004