What You Need to Know
A survey conducted by Africa Report in collaboration with a Kenyan research firm reveals a significant paradox in African education. While most participants express confidence in their national schools, two-thirds plan to send their children abroad for studies, indicating a belief that foreign institutions offer better opportunities and prestige.
Africa. A survey conducted by a local source in collaboration with a Kenyan research firm revealed a significant paradox in African education.
While most participants expressed confidence in their national schools, two-thirds still plan to send their children abroad for studies.
The results indicate that Africans value learning in their home countries, but they view global institutions, particularly Western ones, as the true gateway to competitiveness, prestige, and opportunities.
The survey included 47 African countries and over 7,000 participants from the upper-middle class, conducted in August and September of this year.
Confidence in Educational Systems
The survey showed that Ghanaians and Kenyans are among the most confident in their educational systems, while Nigerians and South Africans are close to the continental average of 62%.
In Ghana, 73% of participants stated they trust their schools “to some extent” or “completely,” with the same percentage in Kenya.
On the surface, both countries appear to be success stories: Ghana with its prestigious secondary schools like Achimota and Prempeh College, and Kenya with its renowned network of secondary schools and universities.
However, confusion arises when parents are asked about their educational plans for their children: 76% of Ghanaians and 67% of Kenyans have sent or plan to send their children abroad.
Samuel Olando, the executive director of a local organization in Nairobi, stated, “The majority still believe that foreign education facilitates job acquisition, whether abroad or upon returning to Kenya. It is a quest for greener pastures through education.”
Preferred Destinations
The preferred destinations were Canada first, followed by the UK, the US, and China. This reflects colonial legacies and linguistic ties, as educational systems in Ghana and Kenya are rooted in the British model. China has emerged as a secondary destination due to its educational diplomacy through scholarships and Confucius Institutes.
In Ghana, the president of the teachers’ union, Isaac Ofori, believes the contradiction stems from “the burdens of reforms,” especially after the free secondary education policy introduced in 2017, which expanded access but revealed significant gaps.
He added, “Many students rely on private tutoring, and those who cannot afford it fall behind. Even prestigious schools have seen a decline in their standards.”
Meanwhile, Timob Richard, the Ghanaian teacher awarded “Best Teacher of 2025,” links the phenomenon to “colonial mentality and a sense of foreign superiority.”
He stated, “Parents consider educating their children abroad a source of prestige, but they also seek an education that adds practical value and equips them with 21st-century skills.”
The survey also showed that some parents prefer other African countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Ghana itself.
Surprisingly, 43% of Ghanaians considering sending their children to another African country chose Egypt, thanks to its strong programs in engineering and medicine.
However, the economic cost is enormous: billions of dollars are spent annually on education abroad, depriving local universities of resources that could enhance their infrastructure.
Experts warn that brain drain exacerbates the crisis, as graduates rarely return, and those who do find their qualifications mismatched with the local job market.
Ofori concludes that “Ghana needs to rebuild trust in its educational system from the ground up, ensuring quality, relevance, and practical outcomes, so that parents can be assured that their children’s future is secure here at home.”
The education landscape in Africa has been shaped by various historical factors, including colonial legacies and contemporary globalization. Many African nations have made strides in improving access to education, yet challenges remain in terms of quality and relevance to the job market. The preference for foreign education often stems from perceptions of better opportunities and prestige associated with institutions in Western countries.
In recent years, several African governments have implemented reforms aimed at enhancing educational standards. However, disparities in quality persist, leading parents to seek alternatives abroad.
