NAIROBI, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Africa's capacity to sustain economic progress, peace and stability hinges on concerted efforts to renew the education sector, a senior World Bank official said on Thursday.
Sajitha Bashir, the World Bank's Practice Manager for Education in the Eastern Africa Region, said a vibrant education sector will boost competitiveness of African economies while providing durable solution to the continent's endemic social and political challenges.
"African economies could do better if adequate investments are channeled towards improvement of literacy and numeracy skills among the continent's youth," Bashir said.
She spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing high level Pan African Conference on Education taking place in Nairobi.
Delegates including African education ministers, senior policymakers, representatives of multilateral agencies and campaigners agreed that a revitalized education sector holds key to Africa's transformation.
Bashir hailed concerted efforts by African governments and multilateral partners to reform the education sector and realign it with the evolving market demands.
"Many African countries are doing well in expanding access to basic education but additional investments are required to actualize the goal of universal access to education from basic to post-secondary level," said Bashir.
The World Bank in its report on the status of basic education in Africa launched in February this year noted that many countries have made progress towards elimination of illiteracy.
Bashir attributed the improved school enrollment in Sub-Saharan Africa to economic vitality, political goodwill and enactment of progressive legislation and policies.
She warned that this progress could stall in the light of new conflicts and displacements of population, stagnant economic growth, population explosion and climate related shocks.
"Moving forward, African countries must focus on key strategic priorities like improving budgetary allocation to education, motivation of teachers through better perks and creating a conducive environment for learners," said Bashir.
She noted that investments in early childhood education and continuous learning for adults will address skills deficit that has undermined Africa's leap to knowledge-based economy.
