The future of our world hinges on universal access to quality education, yet many children across Africa are still being denied this fundamental right.
Africa boasts the largest youth population globally, with 70% of its population under 30. However, issues such as the lack of access to quality education, poverty, and illiteracy continue to plague the continent. Shockingly, nearly 87% of children in African countries are unable to read and comprehend a simple sentence by age 10, while 98 million children and youth remain out of school, according to UNESCO studies. This dire situation calls for urgent and decisive action, as Africa faces an annual education financing gap exceeding 40%. If policymakers persist in implementing unsustainable education policies, the consequences could be catastrophic for the global economy. It is imperative that we enhance access to quality education for all children across the continent, and the time for action is now. A systemic change in education is essential, and youth must play a pivotal role in driving this transformation.
During a “Youth Speaks” press breakfast, the Innovation-Development-Progress Foundation (IDPF) highlighted the urgent need to improve the quality and affordability of education in Ghana and across Africa. While youth voices are increasingly prominent in areas like climate action, there is a noticeable lack of strong youth advocacy in education, both within Africa and globally. Education-related challenges are best understood by the youth, yet barriers to youth engagement in advocating for educational improvements remain significant. For young people to actively participate in local and global discussions on education, they must first be included at the decision-making table—starting within the school environment, then extending to local actors, organizations, and the press, to ensure that national governments and global stakeholders take notice.
Furthermore, a significant portion of the school-age population in Ghana attends non-state schools, with the majority enrolled in low-fee private schools (LFPS) managed by local education entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, these schools are often overlooked in education policies. Although strides have been made to regulate LFPS by state agencies such as the National School Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), more support is needed for these institutions and the millions of students they serve—students who represent the next generation of leaders.
For over 15 years, the IDP Foundation has supported the affordable non-state sector by working with micro-financiers to provide working capital and training to LFPS owners. Their goal is to improve access to quality education for all children now. To achieve this, these schools must be integrated into a centrally governed education ecosystem, and young people should have a say in their education, with platforms available for them to voice their concerns.
For the first time, the African Union has made education its theme of the year, recognizing that “Africa’s Future is Youth-Led” and calling for the facilitation and strengthening of platforms for youth engagement. The African Union’s Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation has emphasized the importance of youth involvement in shaping the continent’s educational landscape.
Similarly, the UN Youth Office has called for greater youth representation in decision-making roles across both public and private sectors. In its campaign letter, the UN Youth Office urged leaders and institutions to include young people in roles where their voices can be heard, warning that our shared future could be at risk if this call goes unheeded.
By Diallo Madjid