Report of the Ad hoc experts group meeting on curricula reform for development and self-confidence building in Africa

Abstract

The Ad Hoc Experts Group Meeting on Curricula Reform for Development and Self- Confidence Building in Africa was organized by UNECA's Public Administration, Human Resources and Social Development Division in cooperation with UNESCO/BREDA at Africa Hall, Addis Ababa from 18-21 October 1993. There is a general perception that the educational systems in Africa suffer from many deficiencies including under funding of educational programmes and institutions, weak educational infrastructure; inadequate educational facilities, equipment and textbooks; shortage of qualified teachers; unrealistic remuneration levels for educational staff, employment of unqualified teachers leading to low quality of education and educational standards; proliferation of the problem of graduate unemployment and a glaring mismatch between the products of the educational system and the requirements of the labour market. It is these deficiencies and concerns and the need for reformed educational systems to respond to emerging development challenges and to foster self confidence and self reliance that prompted the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to take the initiative to bring together experts and specialists in the field of education as well as representatives of various associations and UN and other agencies to this ad-hoc experts group meeting.