In the rapidly evolving global space, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education is vital for preparing young minds with the skills required for future success. For Africa, investing in STEM education is a strategic imperative, as it holds the key to unlocking sustainable development and driving economic growth.
An estimated 2.5 million more engineers are needed in sub-Saharan Africa to tackle its development challenges, yet, as things stand, the region falls short of meeting this demand.
What is the missing link?
According to UNESCO, only about 2% of African students are pursuing STEM education, compared to the global average of 6%. In some countries, such as Nigeria and Kenya, only about 20% of university graduates are in STEM fields, while South Africa has a slightly higher percentage at 30%.
Education plays a crucial role in promoting employment, higher earnings, improved health, and poverty reduction, according to the World Bank. Globally, an additional year of schooling results in a 9% increase in hourly earnings. However, reports indicate that in low- and middle-income countries, the number of children living in “learning poverty” has risen significantly. UNESCO estimates that 70% of 10-year-old children in these regions are unable to read and comprehend a short, age-appropriate text, a marked increase from 57% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on education, with more than 70 million people pushed into poverty and one billion children losing a year of school. The learning losses suffered have not been recouped, and if a child cannot read with comprehension by age 10, they are likely to struggle in school and may ultimately fail to build successful careers and contribute to their economies.
The long-term effects of the pandemic on education are expected to be profound. Analyses indicate significant setbacks in learning, with international reading scores declining by over a year’s worth of schooling between 2016 and 2021. This could potentially reduce global GDP growth by 0.68 percentage points.
The impact of school closures extends beyond learning, with the current generation of children at risk of losing a combined total of US$21 trillion in lifetime savings—equivalent to 17% of today’s global GDP. This is a sharp increase from the 2021 estimate of a US$17 trillion loss, highlighting the gravity of the crisis.
In Nigeria, only 7% of the national budget is allocated to education, with an even smaller portion dedicated to STEM fields. In contrast, Kenya’s Digital Literacy Programme represents a significant effort to enhance STEM infrastructure at the primary education level.
A walk in the shadow or light?
The rapid advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things are driving the fourth industrial revolution and transforming the future of work. To remain competitive, Africa must prioritise the development of its STEM ecosystem. Countries with strong STEM human capital tend to experience high levels of economic growth and productivity.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 acknowledges the critical role that STEM education can play in accelerating Africa’s development. To capitalise on this opportunity, Africa must invest in STEM education and skills, leveraging its youthful population to drive innovation and growth. With a projected 362 million young people between 15 and 24 years old by 2050, Africa can harness its demographic dividend to become a global leader in emerging technologies, climate change mitigation, and other pressing global challenges.
Despite Africa’s commitment to promoting STEM education, several challenges hinder its progress. According to the World Bank, there is a low participation of students in STEM fields, with only 25% of higher education students pursuing STEM majors and fewer than 30% of them being women. This gender disparity affects graduation rates and is exacerbated by the lack of awareness about STEM career opportunities.
Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure and resources across the continent is a major constraint. Many schools lack basic amenities like electricity, internet connectivity, and smart classrooms, which hinders the delivery of effective STEM education. For instance, approximately 80% of secondary schools in Africa do not have electricity, and over 90% lack proper science laboratories.
A Call for Action
As advised by the World Bank, to enhance STEM awareness and access, efforts should focus on creating opportunities for STEM discovery. This includes establishing science centres, running targeted campaigns, and engaging with local communities through partnerships and initiatives. By promoting the value of STEM, especially among girls and their families, we can overcome enrolment barriers and encourage more students to pursue STEM education.
Transforming STEM education requires a curriculum overhaul, focusing on modern teaching approaches, and investing in teacher training and professional development. By updating the curriculum to align with real-world challenges, integrating practical experiences, and emphasising problem-solving, we can shift towards a more authentic STEM approach that delivers quality education.
Fostering entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems is crucial for unlocking the potential of STEM education. This involves investing in incubators, innovation hubs, and startup support programs that provide practical opportunities for young people to apply their STEM skills. By promoting diverse teams, including women researchers, we can foster inclusive innovation and holistic solutions that drive positive change.
