https://en.sputniknews.africa/20261103/revolutionizing-africas-education-systems-means-breaking-away-from-colonial-imprints-expert-1090612721.html
Revolutionizing Africa's Education Systems Means Breaking Away From Colonial Imprints: Expert
Revolutionizing Africa's Education Systems Means Breaking Away From Colonial Imprints: Expert
Sputnik Africa
Despite Africa's growing pool of young talent, African governments must overhaul education systems rooted in colonial practices and invest in developing the... 03.11.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-11-03T20:23+0100
2026-11-03T20:23+0100
2026-11-03T20:23+0100
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Revolutionizing Africa's Education Systems Means Breaking Away From Colonial Imprints: Expert
Sputnik Africa
Despite Africa's growing pool of young talent, African governments must overhaul education systems rooted in colonial practices and invest in developing the practical skills, research, and locally driven expertise needed to unlock the continent's potential and address future challenges.
Colonial-era practices continue to shape education across parts of Africa, where many curricula retain elements of systems originally designed to serve colonial administrations rather than local communities. European languages inherited from colonial rule also remain central to classroom instruction in many countries instead of indigenous languages, creating learning barriers for children unfamiliar with them. These longstanding issues have drawn renewed scrutiny amid broader concerns over educational quality, with UNESCO's 2025 Spotlight report estimating that only 10.8 percent of African children achieve minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics by the end of primary school.African Currents interviewed Professor Vuyisile Msila, a South African scholar of public leadership studies at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa, to discuss why Africa must urgently dismantle colonial legacies in education, champion indigenous languages and knowledge, and empower students to develop homegrown solutions to the continent's challenges.For the full perspective and further insights from our guest, tune in to this episode of African Currents, a podcast by Sputnik Africa.Don’t miss an episode — beyond our website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents.
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Revolutionizing Africa's Education Systems Means Breaking Away From Colonial Imprints: Expert
Despite Africa's growing pool of young talent, African governments must overhaul education systems rooted in colonial practices and invest in developing the practical skills, research, and locally driven expertise needed to unlock the continent's potential and address future challenges.
Colonial-era practices continue to shape education across parts of Africa, where many curricula retain elements of systems originally designed to serve colonial administrations rather than local communities. European languages inherited from colonial rule also remain central to classroom instruction in many countries instead of indigenous languages, creating learning barriers for children unfamiliar with them. These longstanding issues have drawn renewed scrutiny amid broader concerns over educational quality, with UNESCO's 2025 Spotlight report estimating that only 10.8 percent of African children achieve minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics by the end of primary school.
African Currents interviewed Professor Vuyisile Msila, a South African scholar of public leadership studies at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa, to discuss why Africa must urgently dismantle colonial legacies in education, champion indigenous languages and knowledge, and empower students to develop homegrown solutions to the continent's challenges.
"[The Burkina Faso example of decolonizing education] This is something that needs to be replicated in various African states that seem to be very doubtful in bringing forward colonial education. Look at what Burkina Faso is saying, even changing the nomenclature that is used in education. They say, Let us not call them [colonizers] explorers; they are invaders, you know. That's what Burkina Faso is saying. So, let us change. Let us bring our own heroes into history—people who were in the forefront of resistance. Because they were always seen as agitators by the colonial master. But we need to go back and show them what they were in truly [...]. We need courageous leadership in our African states where leaders would be able to say we need to start somewhere [...]. We need to aspire towards an education system that would really build Africans, whilst understanding that they need to be global, but they would also have to magnify that which comes from Africa. I think that's a bit of the crux in building the epistemic values as we are moving towards a future Africa," Prof. Msila expressed.
For the full perspective and further insights from our guest, tune in to this episode of African Currents, a podcast by Sputnik Africa.
Don’t miss an episode — beyond our website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents. 
