Improving Education in Under-developed Countries

Under-developed countries represent over 40% of the global population, and with records of high population growth prevalent in these countries. Typical characteristics that are general to most under-developed countries include poverty, high mortality rate, poor infrastructures, instability, few job opportunities, low wages, high population and high percentage of illiteracy. This high illiteracy level is amongst the highest factors that undermine the socio-economic development of most under-developed nations.

The educational sector in most under-developed countries are faced with lots of challenges including:

Lack of learning facilities
Poor learning infrastructures
Inadequate academic staff strength
few schools
population explosion
poor statistics / database
Difficulties in securing university admission
High cost of private schools / universities

It is not a secret that development in the educational sector plays a vital role in the overall development of any nation. Obviously, investment in the educational sector of these nations will go a long way towards improving the literacy scenario, and overall socio-economic development of the countries.

This could be by means of improving study facilities, expanding existing schools, building more schools, harnessing more qualified lecturers, subsidizing or making the cost of education more affordable, and creating jobs to absorb successful graduates which will also motivate the youth to perceive a bright future in acquiring basic / higher education.

Another area of importance in improving education in under-developed countries is in the area of knowledge transfer, from developed countries. This is not to me misunderstood as technology spying, but a healthy process of training selected students from under-developed countries, that will in turn train others when they graduate and get back home. Bright and gifted students could be awarded government scholarships to study abroad in countries like United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, Norway etc. Corporate organizations and philanthropic organizations can also contribute in this regards, to augment government’s efforts.

Obviously, foreign education funding could be expensive for individuals and private organizations in most under-developed countries. However, there are universities in countries like Norway, Sweden, Germany that do offer tuition-free programs. Furthermore, some Eastern European countries, like Ukraine, do offer affordable university education for foreign students.

Knowledge transfer from developed countries, as a means of improving education in under-developed countries will take some time before the effects will become felt. However, for this to happen, it has to be consistent, and in the long run, will prove to be one of the best and most effective means for effecting a radical change towards improving the educational scenario of these countries.

Properly implemented, knowledge transfer from developed countries will assist in positioning most under-developed countries in the right course and track of socio-economic and technological development, not only in the educational sector, but in the overall sectors of the economy.

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