Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Session 4C: Transitions Between Upper Secondary and Higher Education: Policy and Governance The interface between further and higher education in South Africa: Factors affecting the higher education sector’s capacity to meet national needs Presenters: Ian Scott & Nan Yeld ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Problem statement  Output (of schooling and higher education) falling far short of national development needs  Systemic educational problems – particularly the secondary-tertiary articulation gap – a key obstacle to progress  What will it take to achieve successful growth on the scale required? ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Research methodology  Analysis of performance in schooling: cohort analysis; performance statistics relating to international and national assessments in key areas  Analysis of performance in higher education: identifying and analyzing key performance patterns – by race, subject area and program type – derived from 5-year cohort studies of first-time-entering undergraduates ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Main findings (schooling)  The articulation gap between schooling & higher education is not narrowing, and will continue to present major challenges for higher education.  The new curriculum and qualification at the end of schooling holds both promise and risk.  Selection and admission to higher education will, in the short and medium-term, need to employ innovative assessment mechanisms in addition to school-leaving results, and to be coupled with placement into appropriate curricula, to facilitate access and success for talented but disadvantaged students. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Main findings (higher education)  Damaging shortcomings in participation, graduation rates, and equity of outcomes.  Under 5% of the black age-cohort being successfully accommodated in HE.  Necessary growth in graduate output cannot be efficiently achieved primarily by increasing access – the priority is rather to improve the effectiveness of teaching-and-learning for the current diverse intake.  Strong evidence of systemic faults that must be addressed systemically, in mainstream provision. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Conclusions: Main messages  Substantial growth in graduate output – as needed for both development and equity– requires fresh educational processes in higher education as well as in schooling  Reform of higher education curriculum structure and delivery is an essential condition for effectiveness and efficiency in meeting national needs for high-level human development ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa