Making African Education Count.

Are young African graduates pursuing the careers that would impact the continent in innumerable ways? Which courses do Africa's young need to study in college and universities in order to impact the continent? Africa does not have a shortage of educated people. What it lacks are skilled, passionate, and educated people that will be able to put their ideas to work to realize a better and meaningful life for Africans.

How come the Africans who study abroad go to the same classes with the world's best and brightest and when they come back home, they are subsumed by the very system that they sought to change? Issues such as nepotism and tribalism are rife even among the educated elite in Africa. Is it that our education systems are failing? Or are the values and skills needed to excel in the 21st century simply not taught in our schools. If we
are to make Africa claim the 21st century, then we will have to ensure that we address the value of education that is taught to Africa's young. For example, why is it that the elite take their children to private schools, while the poor have to do with public schools. It's a paradox that even teachers in public schools take their kids to private schools, meaning that they don't believe in the very system that they are in.
Crucially, we have to ensure that Africa's best and brightest are also attracted to the teaching profession. In countries such as South Korea, the best students usually end up as teachers, and teachers are paid some of the highest salaries in the world. We must not leave teaching to be a fall back career, but rather, be a career that is first among equals. That is the only way that Africa's young will be imparted with the right knowledge and skills, and most importantly, with values that will help them compete well in the 21st century, and ultimately, impact Africa in innumerable ways.