Thematic synthesis report (sub-theme 3): Preparing Knowledge Workers for Africa's Development: Articulating Upper Secondary with Higher Education

Higher education plays a critical role in preparing the knowledge workers and competent leadership that Africa needs for sustainable development. The effectiveness with which higher education fulfils this role is influenced by the preparedness of upper secondary school students for tertiary education and the conditions that govern the transition between the two levels of education. This is a synthesis of country case studies and background papers from more than ten countries, discusses the many and complex factors that mediate the transition from upper secondary to higher education. These factors include national educational policies and norms, institutional management and governance structures, teacher preparation and curriculum delivery, examinations and assessment procedures, admission requirements, equity of access, class and socio-economic inequalities, gender, regional and ethnic considerations, limited diversity in provision of tertiary education, and inadequate financing of higher education.