It's no longer a myth: Africa's education programs often fail to nurture the creative spirit of its youth, a spirit that benefits the continent and holds the potential to drive the global economy. In fact, with 70% of sub-Saharan
To tap into this dynamic demographic potential, education must be fundamentally restructured to shape the continent's future. Today, education is more than just a stepping-stone; it's a powerful developmental force. However, the typical African curriculum restricts the potential of its youth in the 21st century. It can no longer exist in isolation or solely as a means to an end.
21st-century education is no longer about routine memorization. It's about developing critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills. To equip learners for the future in a globalized economy, technology-based education is essential.
Educational technology (EdTech) is the practical application of technology to enhance learning and manage educational processes and resources. Its roots stretch back over a hundred years, with the BBC's educational radio in the 1920s and the Open University's pioneering use of television and radio programs. Africa embraced EdTech later. In the 1930s, the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) began offering educational programming. Audiovisual centers followed in the 1950s, expanding across different regions.
Sub-Saharan Africa saw hope with television's arrival in 1959. Meanwhile, impactful initiatives like the Côte d'Ivoire school radio project (training thousands of teachers) emerged in the 1970s. By the early 1990s, radio solidified its role in basic education, paving the way for the Programme for Education by Television (PETV) in the late 1990s. This program significantly boosted school enrolment rates.
Today, as Africa grapples with this challenge of stale educational systems, it becomes evident that a fundamental restructuring of education is imperative. Education must evolve from being a mere stepping-stone to a powerful force for development. The current curriculum, rooted in routine memorization, must adapt to the demands of the 21st century, focusing on skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
Though Africa adopted EdTech decades later, its journey has been marked by progress. Across Africa, EdTech is transforming education. In remote areas, it bridges the teacher gap with online courses, libraries, and platforms, ensuring no child is left behind. Mobile apps and offline content further empower students even with limited internet. EdTech doesn't just benefit students; it empowers teachers too. Online platforms offer professional development, and collaboration tools foster a spirit of community for sharing best practices and creating engaging materials. But EdTech's impact goes beyond access.
The 21st-century Educational Technology can reshape Africa's educational landscape. Where the skills gap persists between young African talents and technological needs, Ed-Tech can equip students with crucial digital skills for the modern workforce.
Despite the drawbacks, progress has been made. The wave of educational technology is rising across Africa, fuelled by initiatives like Mastercard's EdTech Fellowship launched in 2019. To date, this initiative has supported about forty-eight EdTech companies, impacting over 2.3 million learners in total. This wave carries immense potential, projected to raise the African e-learning market to a staggering $5.2 billion by 2028. These impressive numbers paint a promising future for African EdTech, yet, harnessing this potential into tangible solutions remains crucial. At Mozisha, we're diving headfirst into this challenge.
While technology offers immense potential to bridge Africa's education and skills gap, it's crucial to translate that potential into tangible solutions. At Mozisha, we are stepping up to the challenge by providing targeted digital skills training. Our mentorship and apprenticeship programs align with the demands of 21st-century jobs, empowering graduates to contribute meaningfully to Africa's economic growth while assisting companies get the top talents they need.
We achieve this by leveraging technology to ensure our solutions are accessible, breaking down barriers to learning, and fostering inclusivity across diverse regions. In the post-pandemic world, we do not position ourselves as just another EdTech player; we are the catalyst for change. In the Ed-Tech ecosystem in Africa, we stand out with our practice-based approach that directly addresses several critical challenges faced by traditional education on the continent.
Our practice-based approach goes beyond technical skills. We nurture crucial soft skills like collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These skills are increasingly valued by employers and are essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world. By actively engaging in projects and collaborating with peers and mentors, students develop these soft skills naturally, preparing them for success in any field they choose.
This focus on practical application also significantly boosts student engagement and motivation. When students can see the real-world value of what they are learning, they become more invested in the learning process. By immersing students in project-based learning and real-world experiences, Mozisha fosters a deeper understanding and encourages students to think creatively and solve problems independently. This not only equips them with immediately usable skills relevant to the workforce but also helps bridge the significant skills gap faced by many African graduates.
Finally, Mozisha's approach future-proofs graduates by equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the ever-changing world of work. The emphasis on adaptability, innovation, and creative thinking prepares students to face future challenges and contribute meaningfully to their communities. This holistic approach empowers them to become not just graduates, but architects of their destinies.
This isn't just about equipping graduates; it's about unleashing potential. We envision a future where Africa's young, dynamic population doesn't just thrive, but leads the continent towards a brighter, tech-driven future. But we can't achieve this alone. Join us, shape the narrative, and be a part of Mozisha's EdTech revolution. Together, let's transform education, empower communities, and leap towards a future brimming with possibility.
Are you ready to join the movement? Click here and discover how you can contribute to shaping Africa's educational technology landscape!
References
A short history of educational technology - https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/chapter/section-8-1-a-short-history-of-educational-technology/
Africa emerges as a hotbed for education - https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/africa-emerges-hotbed-edtech
Edtech can power Africa’s education market - https://www.daimagister.com/resources/edtech-and-africa/
Ed-Tech Industry statistics in Africa - https://smebluepages.com/edtech-industry-statistics-in-africa/
History of Education Technology in Nigeria - https://peakng.com/history-of-educational-technology-in-nigeria/
Training the next generation: mapping the Ed-Tech Ecosystem - https://thebaobabnetwork.com/training-the-next-generation-mapping-the-edtech-ecosystem/
Who is keeping Africa connected - https://techsafari.beehiiv.com/p/phoneinafrica
Why Africa's youth hold the key to its development potential - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/why-africa-youth-key-development-potential/
