Discussion paper: The challenge of learning—improving the quality of basic education in SSA

Three years ago, at the World Education Forum in Dakar, all countries of Sub Saharan Africa reaffirmed their commitment to the goals of learning and completion of basic education for all. Most education systems in the region are far from reaching these goals and the challenge implicit in this commitment is daunting. Less than one third of the children of school age acquire the knowledge and the skills specified in their national primary education curriculum. This jeopardizes the very objectives of economic development, social progress, peace and democracy that are at the core of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). Most critical is the challenge of quality