Neil Butcher

This report seeks to explore various issues relating to education in sub-Saharan Africa. Of particular interest is how distance education and open learning can be supported by ICT (information and communication technology), such that the objectives of education might become achievable for the majority of people in Africa (many of whom are now excluded from educational opportunities of any form according to the author). The report is based on desk research, including a review of literature and examples of current initiatives using ICTs for education in sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on open and distance learning.

According to this report, in Africa more than in other developing countries, competing priorities such as the struggle against HIV/AIDS, poverty and illiteracy, and local constraints including poor technology penetration, unaffordability of equipment and lack of capacity require careful planning, implementation and measurement. In this regard, the report also underlines the importance of well-costed projects and the selection of pedagogically sound technologies in order to optimise teaching and learning.

Topics include:

• Socio-Economic Context of Sub-Saharan Africa
• Africa, ICT and Development
• ICT and Tertiary Education
• ICT and Adult/Basic Education
• Financial Implications

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