Can new modes of digital learning help resolve the teacher crisis in sub-Saharan Africa?

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
Can new modes of digital learning help resolve the teacher crisis in sub-Saharan Africa?
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa, more than any other part of the world, is experiencing a crisis in finding sufficiently qualified teachers to meet the needs of expanding school systems. The professional development support provided to serving teachers is also inadequate in most countries. The most recent data on learner outcomes has revealed a worrying picture of significant under-achievement across the region. This paper argues that the teacher education and training structures of the last century will never be able to meet urgent contemporary needs. Given population growth, especially among the young, large-scale expansion of the teaching force and the associated teacher education systems will be the norm through to the middle years of the century and beyond. In this context the paper argues for a significant policy shift to expand quality teacher education and professional support at scale through a more school-based and digitally supported network model of provision. Examples of current digital programmes within the region are considered as well as the new technologies that are emerging with relevance to teacher education. The paper suggests a three-phase process through which national governments might move in making the necessary changes in policy and practice.
Publication
Journal of Learning for Development
Volume
4
Issue
1
Pages
23-35
Date
2017
Language
English
ISSN
2311-1550
Loc. in Archive
1913344876; EJ1141537
Extra
Publisher: Commonwealth of Learning, 4710 Kingsway Suite 2500, Burnaby, BC V5H 4M2 Canada
Citation
Moon, B., & Villet, C. (2017). Can new modes of digital learning help resolve the teacher crisis in sub-Saharan Africa? Journal of Learning for Development, 4(1), 23–35. http://jl4d.org/index.php/ejl4d/article/view/194