Africa: An Educational Renaissance Has Begun

The tipping point: education. The delivery system: teachers

"Africa." If we played the classic game of word association, the average American were asked to speak the first words that come to mind, most would say: "war," "famine," and "disease." The recent AIDS conference in Johannesburg was alarming and apocalyptic. This scourge is a devastation of untold proportions. Top magazines have referred to Africa as "the lost continent."

It is a story worth facing directly. At the same, Africa has long suffered the indignity of stereotype and cynicism. Yet a hopeful story is emerging. These 54 countries and 800 mil-lion citizens have made significant– even miraculous– progress since independence movements began more than 40 years ago. The story of Africa can also be seen as nothing short of inspiring, despite the odds.

42 countries have embraced multiple party systems and transparent government practices. While Europe has taken hundreds of years to form the EU, the international press is picking up stories of the African Union (AU). An African network of information and communications technology, health and human services, and government is gaining momentum. Other plans are underway.

Africa suffers a drought of unimaginable proportions every ten years. War, famine, and disease do, indeed, ravage its population. But at no other time in Africa's recent past has the potential for hope been so great.

What can make the difference? The tipping point: education. The delivery system: teachers. Several African countries are developing policies around training, connection, and ICT access. Africa has come to see how to shape a future.

Nigeria, in particular, is poised to set an example for the continent. Despite its setbacks and its categorical association with corruption, Nigerian teachers are mobilized. Teachers Without Borders was contacted by several Nigerians who, in a short time, have mobilized a 144,000 teacher campaign for national renewal. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare have endorsed and encouraged several TWB conferences which have addressed community education, early childhood education, girls' education, safety, HIV-AIDS, literacy, corruption, and teacher professional development.

Ministry of Education officials in Rivers State, on the west coast of Nigeria, plan to Teachers Without Borders' curriculum on new teaching practices. A radio show on education shall reach 5 million listeners a week. Communities are securing sites for Community Teaching & Learning Centers and establishing local committees for their upkeep and development.

With good teachers, children glow. A few months back, teachers in one western Nigerian state embraced and celebrated, in their unique way, Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots program, which provides a structure for action and learning around people, animals, and the environment. There is a light in their eyes; they have hope. The rhetoric of "no child left behind" applies to all children. The benefits are nothing short of societal renewal.

A recent United Nations report identifies 59 million teachers, the largest professionally trained community in the world. The multiplier results are exponential. Girls who remain in school for one year longer create double-digit economic benefits to families; increased literacy results in increased infrastructure, spending power, increased health, decreased infant mortality, and greater family planning.

In an age that sits precariously on the brink of destruction, education is our most vital task. Nigeria is one case in point– a country that can soon soar from the advantages of opportunity, rather than suffer the condescension of neglect, exploitation, and stereotype.

Africa also does not need charity. Massive aid programs have not worked. The African Union (AU) is viable. Education is the engine that shall support its efforts. Education leads to dignity, renewal, peace, joy and self-reliance. In the end, education is society's glue.

Though the challenges are enormous, the capacity for development far outweighs them. With partners in each country and around the world, we can make a substantial and enduring difference. Let future generations play the word game with new images and ideas, in place of the old ones, words like: "art," "children," "enterprise," "AU" and – most of all – "education."

About the author

Fred is the president and founder of Teachers Without Borders, and board member of New Horizons for Learning. He was a high-school principal for about 12 years. Most recently, he was the Director of Bush Upper School in Seattle, Washington. His undergraduate work focused on literature and history at the University of California, and his graduate work in Education at Claremont Graduate School. Currently, he is working toward completion of doctoral work in Educational Leadership at Seattle University. He taught as a guest lecturer in the People's Republic of China and published a textbook on early American Literature there.

He has been awarded with the Johns Hopkins University: Center for Talented Youth, 1993: "California's Outstanding Educators Award," American International Youth Student Exchange Program, for "Distinguished Achievement for School Administrator," "School Administrator Certificate of Excellence" - Activism 2000 Project (devoted to programs, on a national scale, which assist student community service and a sense of responsibility for one's community)

He has written a funny, practical, and insightful book, Rebel Without a Car: Surviving and Appreciating Your Child's Teen Years. (Fairview Press. 1996. (800) 544-8207). It is the first book in the country written for parents from an educator's insider view. It has been featured in radio and television shows throughout the country.

Dr. Mednick has appeared online with Penelope Leach and Dr. Spock at Time-Warner's parenting resource web site.

Contact Fred via www.teacherswithoutborders.org (206) 230-8126, or email info@teacherswithoutborders.org

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