Regional
Chinese Investing in Commodities and Language Learning in Africa
The Chinese government has a secured a series of large trade deals with African nations in recent years as it seeks to find the natural resources it needs to fuel its booming manufacturing industries at home. As the Chinese government increases its trading relations with the African continent, so it sees an increasing need to train a cadre of African’s competent in the Chinese language and familiar with Chinese cultural values. Spearheading the linguistic and cultural aspects of Sino-African relations has been the establishment of three Confucius Institutes on the continent, where African students can take certificate course in Chinese language and culture.
In Kenya, the first graduates from a nine-month certificate course in Chinese language and cultural understanding from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi [1] are already looking for jobs with Chinese travel agencies operating in Kenya or at Chinese companies doing business in the country. A few have even been offered scholarships to undertake full degree programs at Tianjin Normal University [2], the Kenyan institute’s partner university in China. Due to a shortage of qualified teachers, enrollments in Nairobi have been capped at 30 per semester.
Kenya is not the only country with insufficient human resources to meet the demand for Chinese language learning. Across the globe demand for Mandarin lessons is booming, and while the growing network of Confucius Institutes is beginning to address the demand, currently there is simply a shortage of qualified Chinese language teachers. In collaboration with the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language [3] (NOCFL), the Chinese government has been actively encouraging its citizens to undertake Chinese language teaching programs to help meet the demand. According to NOCFL, the number of Confucius Institutes around the world will reach 100 in the near future. In Africa there are currently institutes in Kenya, South Africa and, most recently, Zimbabwe (See below).
— Xinhua news agency [4]
Oct. 5, 2006
Ethiopia
Top Moscow University Pondering a Branch Campus
The Ethiopian Herald reports that one of Russia’s most prestigious universities is interested in the possibility of establishing a branch campus in Ethiopia. According to a communiqué from the Ethiopian Embassy in Moscow sent to the Ethiopian News Agency, Moscow State University [5] has plans to establish connections with institutions in Africa and a specific interest in Ethiopia. Over 50 Ethiopians have graduated from graduate-level programs at Moscow State University.
— The Ethiopian Herald [6]
Oct. 4, 2006
Ghana
UK and Netherlands Support Ghanaian Education
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Ghana to provide US$230million in support of a ten-year strategic education plan. The ten-year plan seeks to improve primary and secondary school enrollment, gender parity in education, quality of teaching and improved management of school districts. The British and Dutch governments had previously contributed US$190million toward Ghanaian efforts to meet Education for All [7] and Fast Track Initiative [8] goals which would see every child in Ghana receiving a free primary education by 2015 (see next article).
— Ghanaian Chronicle [9]
Aug. 11, 2006
Dramatically Increased Enrollments Present Challenges
Record numbers of Ghanaian children have been enrolled for basic education since school fees were scrapped last year, which is presenting problems for education officials who are now turning community centers and churches into schools in an effort to accommodate demand. The removal of school fees is part of Ghana’s ongoing effort to boost enrollment and make education accessible to a larger section of the population, in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals [10] for education.
There was a Ghana-wide increase in enrollment last year of more than 616,000 pupils, equaling a 16.6 percent rise in the first through ninth grade levels. Now the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport [11] says there is an extra need throughout the country for 17,000 teachers and 13,400 classrooms. The government is getting some help from outside agencies. The World Bank [12] for example is administering a $US11 million grant that will be used to construct 150 new three-unit classrooms, rehabilitate 100 existing classroom blocks and provide new textbooks, tables and chairs. The money will also be used to recruit and train more than 17,000 teachers, which the government hopes will bring the pupil-to-teacher ratio down to its target of 35 to 1.
Ghana had a net primary school enrollment of 69 percent in the 2005/06 academic year, up from 59 percent the previous year. Adult literacy stands at 54 percent. The government has asked leaders of churches and community centers to make their buildings available for temporary classrooms. Teaching outdoors has not been ruled out. To compound the challenges facing the education system, secondary school teachers across the country are currently striking over pay and benefits. The strike is affecting 360,000 senior secondary students nationwide.
— UN Integrated Regional Information Networks [13]
Oct. 11, 2006
Nigeria
Universities Focus on Developing ICT Courses
Nigeria’s National Universities Commission [14] (NUC) has announced a plan to develop the quality and infrastructure of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the nation’s universities. According to a memo released in August by an NUC special commission on ICT development, certain universities such as Obafemi Awolowo University [15], University of Lagos [16] and University of Jos [17] were further advanced in their technological capabilities and course offerings while other institutions lagged far behind. The NUC scheme will improve the web pages, virus protection and Internet capability for all universities in order to encourage Internet e-learning as well as improve the accountability and overall quality control of ICT programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
— Vanguard [18]
Sep. 5, 2006
Yobe-based University Approved
The National Universities Commission [19] (NUC) in October approved Nigeria’s 78th university. Bukar Abba Ibrahim University in Yobe State commences academic activities with the current academic year in 16 undergraduate programs to be run and coordinated in 16 departments and 4 faculties (Arts and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Law, Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Science). There will be an original enrollment of 500 undergraduate students, with the number of full-time students expected to increase to 3,600 after 10 years and 10,800 at full maturity.
— Daily Champion
Oct. 9, 2006