What impact does an increasing population have on the quality of education in Africa? Catherine Murray Deakin University EEG402

Population Growth   Around 2.5 billion in 1950 to over 7 billion people in (The World Bank, 2014)   African school-aged population is set to grow by 75% by 2040   In Nigeria the population is currently 174 million and is projected to reach 914 million by the year 2100   An increase of 425% in under a century. (United Nations, 2013)

Ten miles outside Nigeria's capital, Abuja

Teacher to Pupil Ratios   Rapid population growth puts pressure onto education systems. (Olayemi, 2012)   There is a link between an increasing population and poor teacher to pupil ratios. (Brown, LR. Gardner, G. Halweil, B. 1999)   Overcrowded classrooms is the result.   Despite having similar population densities ratios vary greatly.   Central African Republic 1:80, Nigeria 1:36, Italy, 1:10. (Roncati, R. Tononi, AM., 2005; The World Bank, 2014)

Education Quality   Nigerian Teachers agreed that students participate better in small classes than in large classes. (Olayemi, 2012)   Teachers need to get to know their students   In Africa, a quality education can inform women about childbirth, help stop the spread of disease, increase sustainability, etc. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2011)

Reverse the Cycle   Better education = lower birth rates. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2011; Brown et al. 1999)   Education increases understanding of contraception and family planning.   This will slow population growth.   Thus making providing quality education easier.

References Brown, LR. Gardner, G. Halweil, B. 16 Impacts of Population Growth, The Futurist, 1999, Vol. 33.2, p Olayemi, A. Class Size and Teachers’ Productivity in Primary Schools in Ekiti State, The Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2012, Vol. 2(1), p Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Italy – Country Note, 2012, accessed 29/1/13 at URL> Roncati, R. Tononi, AM. Italy in Figures, Italian National Statistical Institute, 2005, accessed 19/1/14 at URL> The World Bank, Population Density (people per sq. km of land area), 2014, accessed 26/1/14 at URL> The World Bank, Population (Total), 2014, accessed 16/1/14 at URL> The World Bank, Teacher-Pupil Ratio, Primary, 2014, accessed 26/1/14 at URL> United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2013). World Population Prospects: The 2012 Revision, Highlights and Advance Tables. Working Paper No. ESA/P/WP.228. Accessed 25/1/14 at URL> United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Education Counts Towards the Millennium Development Goals, Education For All Global Monitoring Report, 2011 United Nations, Millennium Development Goals and Beyond 2015, 2014, accessed 25/1/13 at URL>