Education must be relevant says minister of education, Mr. Peter Oloo Aringo. (1988, October 5). The Standard.

OVERVIEW

Sponsored by the African Curriculum Organization, in collaboration with the German Foundation for International Development, a six-week course in African curriculum development opened in Nairobi.

Director of the course, Professor N.O. Setidisho said that the management and organization of the continent were below expectation. Teaching in Africa is overburdened, as 45% to 65% of the teachers are untrained and at least 30% of its teachers are underqualified. "The endeavor to promote the quality of education requires the determined effort of a team of agencies and professionals," he said.

In the Minister of Education’s speech read for the occasion, Mr. Aringo stressed three necessities for educational curricula in Africa today:

• It must be relevant.
• It must maintain high quality.
• It must be true to its country’s priorities.

IMPLICATIONS

1. Successful education with an unsuccessful economy produces a frustrated and dangerous generation. An unsuccessful education effort cannot produce a successful economy. The priorities of nation and schools are interlinked.
2. The educational process itself depends upon a clear philosophy of education, good organization and management of the educational system, well-trained teachers having good relations with students, and a quality curriculum. Studies also show that family support and positive peer attitudes toward academic success are also important factors.
3. It seems that student, family, community, nation, and church should join to support quality education.

Dean Borgman cCYS