Accelerating catch-up : tertiary education for growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Format:

Book

Government document

Contributor:

World Bank.

Series:

Directions in development. Human development.

Directions in development. Human development

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Education, Higher--Economic aspects--Africa, Sub-Saharan.

Education, Higher.

Economic development--Effect of education on--Africa, Sub-Saharan.

Economic development.

Economic development--Effect of education on.

Education, Higher--Economic aspects.

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Physical Description:

xxxi, 180 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : World Bank, [2009]

Summary:

The revival of economic growth across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since the beginning of the millennium is a heartening development. Sustaining it over the indefinite future is not only a necessity, but also a challenge of the first order.

The key to economic success in a globalized world lies increasingly in how effectively a country can assimilate the available knowledge and build comparative advantage in selected areas with good growth prospects. Increasing the relevance of tertiary education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa will enable the region to increase its comparative advantage by pushing the frontiers of technology through innovation, encourage the diversification of products and services, and maximize returns from capital assets through more efficient allocation and management.

African countries have gone far in achieving high levels of literacy and raising primary enrollments. This progress is providing a foundation for future development. Now it is necessary to move quickly to acquire the higher-order skills and expertise that will allow African countries to add value in existing economic activities and enter new industries and services.

Accelerating Catch-up: Tertiary Education for Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa compellingly spells out the case for more knowledge-intensive growth and demands increasing attention to secondary and, most importantly, post-secondary education. It demonstrates why tertiary education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa must become better aligned with national economic development and poverty reduction strategies, and has identified the benefits likely to be associated with such a shift in perspective. It will be of great interest to international organizations, governments, research institutions, and universities throughout the region.

Contents:

Context 5

Chapter 2 The Education Imperative 37

The Demand for Higher-level Skills in Sub-Saharan Africa 42

The Mission of Tertiary Education in an Economic Growth Context 50

Chapter 3 Improving the Performance of Tertiary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa 69

Introducing National Innovation Systems 69

What Is the Current State of Play? 71

Tertiary Education 80

Concluding Observations: Tertiary Education for Competitiveness and Growth 103

1.1 New Commitments for Education by Sub-Sector FY1990-2008 2

1.2 Savings and Investment, 1990-2006 13

1.3 Population Growth and Fertility Rates for Selected Countries, 1990 and 2005 18

1.4 Export Sophistication and Competitiveness (EXPY) and Level of Higher Education 23

1.5 Export Sophistication and Competitiveness (EXPY) Increase with Level of Secondary Education 24

1.6 Progress from Low-value Commodity to High-value Agricultural and Resources-based Processed Exports, 1985-2004 25

2.1 Changes in Education Profile in Korea and Ghana, 1960-2000 38

2.2 Secondary and Tertiary Gross Enrollment Rates for Case Study Countries, 1991 and 2005 38

2.3 Secondary Gross Enrollment in 2004 40.

Notes:

Errata slip inserted.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-160) and index.

ISBN:

9780821377383

0821377388

9780821377390

0821377396

OCLC:

245597190