Since independence in the late 1950s and the 1960s, African countries have made significant efforts toward the development of their scientific and technological humanpower. This effort is exemplified most in curriculum development in school science, technology and mathematics. Also, concerted attempt has been made towards policy formulation and implementation. However, due to various socio‐economic factors, African states have not been able to achieve the goal of self‐reliance with respect to scientific and technological humanpower development. The focus of this paper is to identify some of these factors, highlight their implications, as well as to suggest measures to ameliorate their overall negative effect. Lastly, possible areas for future research are identified. The aim of such research endeavours is to collect baseline data for planning and decision‐making with respect to human capital development in African countries.

Education and social equality in Kenya

Science, technology and mathematics: the problem of developing critical human capital in Africa

Economics of education: Disappointments and potential

This paper analyzes issues in the costs and financing of education in developing countries. It focuses primarily on sub - Saharan Africa, and within that on Francophone West Africa. After evaluating the educational cost data used in international comparisons, the paper focuses on the special situation of African countries, most of which experience severe financial constraints in their effort to achieve educational goals. It examines the potential for reducing unit costs as a way of increasing enrollment within an existing budget and tapping private sources of financing for education. The overall conclusion is that although the financial prospects are rather bleak in the poorest countries, existing budgets could be used much more efficiently than at present. Unit costs can often be significantly reduced, and some changes in the pattern of subsidies to education may allow for a sizeable expansion of education within existing budgets.

Educational Costing and Financing in Developing Countries: Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. World Bank Staff Working Papers No. 655.

Although Kenya may be the most extreme example, expansion of university education is widespread throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. This article examines the irresistible rising tide of populism as it reaches the ivory tower in Kenya. Economic, political, and equity arguments supporting and opposing expansion are outlined. The conclusions, although directed at Kenya, are broadly applicable to those African nations embarking upon a program of tertiary-level growth.

Education and social equality in Kenya

Citations

Science, technology and mathematics: the problem of developing critical human capital in Africa

Economics of education: Disappointments and potential

Educational Costing and Financing in Developing Countries: Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. World Bank Staff Working Papers No. 655.

An essay on the implications of university expansion in Kenya

Educational costing and financing in developing countries : focus on sub-Saharan Africa

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