CONFINTEA VI Mid-Term Review 2017 - The status of adult learning and education in sub-Saharan Africa - regional report

Sub-Saharan-Africa: Forging links between ALE and the SDG targets

This report documents the outcomes and results of the CONFINTEA VI recommendations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) – that is, the progress made in implementing the targets set out in the Belém Framework for Action (BFA) across the region. Particular attention is paid to regional or country action plans and their achievements.

Countries in the region are, unfortunately, short on evidence and thus reliable data, which results in strong recommendations to develop greater capacity in gathering information, research, monitoring quality and building partnerships. Positioning adult learning and education (ALE) in the framework of lifelong learning is still a distant goal.

Although there has been a promising increase in literacy levels, the number and variety of adult basic education and literacy (alphabétisation) programmes still needs improvement in many SSA countries and post-literacy follow-up is often insufficient. Women predominately attend ALE programmes, especially non-formal education and literacy ones, while men predominate in programmes with a more general focus and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The number of ALE participants from difficult-to-reach areas is still relatively low.

The BFA’s recommendation to make use of common benchmarks and indicators measuring the progress, achievements, quality, limitations and gaps in provision, and the capacity development of educators and trainers, has only been fully achieved in a few countries of the region. In addition, policies show little focus on youth, and government funding remains modest with small gains. On a positive note, governance has improved greatly since 2009 concerning stakeholder participation, inter-ministerial cooperation, decentralized arrangements and coordination of ALE.

Data collection is a necessary, integral component of all adult learning and education systems. In SSA, there is an ongoing need for technical support in order to develop capacities for gathering accurate financial data, monitoring donor-funding trends and researching the impact of ALE provision on health, the economy and society.

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CONFINTEA VI Mid-Term Review 2017 - The status of adult learning and education in sub-Saharan Africa - regional report