Revitalizing our Education Systems Is What Is at Stake ... back a page | next page Mamadou Ndoye, Minister of Basic Education and National Languages,Senegal "... The challenge is enormous—in Africa more so than elsewhere. Our continent has the highest rates of illiteracy and the lowest rates of enrolment in the world. The Jomtien conference held in March 1990, in Thailand gave birth to the hope that swift progress would be made towards the goal of education for all. Five years later, the results are mixed. More than ever before, it is obvious that in the present African context the objective of education for all cannot be met without the added contribution of Nonformal education. Governments are faced with depressed economies and population growth, while budgetary resources are meager and development aid is dwindling. It is critical for education systems to genuinely respond to the needs of our societies. The dominant trends in the evolution of African countries—high population growth and accelerating urbanization—make the task particularly difficult. With the democratization process under way, a demanding civil society has emerged. Governments are also experiencing movements towards decentralization and the devolution of power to the grass roots. Education and culture will largely shape the success of local and participatory development. The formal education system is finding it hard to provide adequate responses to the diversity of needs and situations. On the other hand, the flexible nature of Non-formal education can help adjust supply to demand. At the same time, the non-formal sector is challenging the formal system to make necessary changes. The major changes suggested—such as adjusting school to the environment or the use of African languages in the education systems—are difficult to implement in an environment where traditions still run strong. Non-formal education offers a more fertile ground for initiative. Once the good seeds have sprouted they may be transplanted to nourish and sustain the formal sector. The revitalization of our education systems is what is at stake. Non-formal education does have risks and drawbacks as regards the quality of instruction, the relevance of training, and the cohesion of national society. Field experiences should be accompanied by research. This is what is expected of the future working group. Mamadou Ndoye, Excerpts from an opening address delivered at the consultative meeting for the establishment of a DAE working group on non formal education, Dakar, February 28, 1996 New Internet addresses for the DAE DAE Secretariat: DAE@IIEP.UNESCO.ORG or DSECRETARIAT1@WORLDBANK.ORG DAE Executive Secretary: R.SACK@IIEP.UNESCO.ORG Admininistrative Secretary: A.BESSIERES@IIEP.UNESCO.ORG Program Officers: R.CHARRON@IIEP.UNESCO.ORG H.BOUKARY@IIEP.UNESCO.ORG Publications Officer: TH.DESRUELLES@IIEP.UNESCO.ORG Updating the DAE address database The DAE is updating its address database. We are sending to all of our readers a card containing information such as your name, address, and professional specialization. Please return the card so that we may update our files. This will help us dispatch the Newsletter as well as other DAE documents to you more quickly. Please let us know if you have not received the card. DAE Secretariat 7-9 rue Eugène Delacroix 75116 Paris, France Tel: (33) (1) 45 03 77 57 Fax: (33) (1) 45 03 39 65 Internet: DAE@IIEP.UNESCO.ORG

About ADEA | Working Groups | Programs | Publications | Newsletter | Databases | Calendar | Site Map | En français Association for the Development of Education in Africa 7-9 rue Eugène-Delacroix 75116 Paris, France Tel: + 33/ (0) 145.03.77.57 Fax: + 33/ (0) 145.03.39.65 adea@iiep.unesco.org Last modified: March 18, 2001