By Mavis Paintsil,Labadi
The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Triennale 2024 conference has brought to the forefront the pressing issues of gender balance and leadership competencies in Africa’s educational sector.
Held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, the conference highlighted the significant challenges faced by the continent’s education systems, including the lack of formal training for head teachers and a substantial gender gap in school leadership.
Lack of Training for School Leaders
Participants at the conference expressed concern that most countries promote teachers to head teacher positions without providing them with the necessary training to effectively manage schools.
This lack of preparation has resulted in many school leaders being ill-equipped to handle the complex demands of their roles.
Gender Disparity in School Leadership
The conference also highlighted the stark gender disparity in school leadership, with female school leaders accounting for less than 20% of the total. At higher institutions of learning, the number of female Vice Chancellors is a mere 2-3%.
This is particularly concerning given the evidence that schools led by women tend to have better outcomes than those led by men.
Call for Policy Reforms
The conference called for policy reforms to address these challenges, including the development of school leadership policies that involve teachers and school leaders in the decision-making process.
The Regional Director of Education International Africa, Dr. Dennis Sinyolo, emphasized the need for career preparation and training for teachers and school leaders, stressing that “nothing for us without us” should be the guiding principle in policy development.
Expert Insights
Prof. George K.T. Oduro, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education, provided a historical perspective on school leadership in Ghana, highlighting the progress made in leadership development programs.
The Ugandan Minister of State for Primary Education, Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, noted the challenge of preserving African culture amid modernization, particularly with the increasing use of ICT in teaching and learning.
A Call to Action
The conference concluded with a call to action to strengthen the resilience of Africa’s educational systems and advance towards ending learning poverty by 2035.
With a well-educated and skilled workforce, Africa can overcome the challenges it faces and achieve its development goals.
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