Reversing the Trend of Educational Disparity in West Africa

Abstract

This study was an outcome of research report on closing the gap of educational disparities in two West Africa countries (Nigeria and Sierra Leone). Both countries were among the 155 countries that agreed at the World Conference on ‘Education for All’ in Jomtien (1990), to make primary education accessible to all children and to massively reduce illiteracy before the end of the decade. There has been little demonstrated success since the implementation of the UBE program over a decade ago. Findings from the analysed data collected through document analysis and interview with thirty bureaucrats in the capital Territories of the two countries revealed that more than eight million children of school age (six to 15 years) are still not in school in Nigeria (Bolaji, Campbell-Evans and Gray, 2016;  NUT, 2008; UENSCO, 2006; World Bank, 2007, UBEC, 2004), and over  28% of school-aged children are out of school and those children that have dropped out of school are engaged in domestic and economic slavery in Sierra Leone(World Bank Report, 2014; UNICEF Report, 2009; 2015). Meeting the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aim to achieve compulsory universal basic education for all children 2050, is in serious doubt in both countries because of the issue of implementation. This study advocates regional managerialism of education as alternative approach to achieving education for all in 2050.