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African Colleges Fail a Generation

Underfunded and overcrowded, promising universities begin to buckle

By Greg Atwan, Newser User

Posted May 19, 2007 9:49 PM CDT

(Newser) – Once a beacon of hope for the world's poorest continent, Africa's colleges are collapsing under the weight of too many students and too little cash, the Sunday Times reports. At Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, students are packed into overcrowded dorms and classrooms, labs are dilapidated, and qualified teachers consider leaving for greener towers overseas.

Those same schools produced the first generation of post-colonial African leaders, but instructors are pessimistic about the next one. “Their education is worthless," says one Senegalese professor. "It doesn’t prepare them for anything.” Rather than providing the professionals developing countries need, many colleges are inducting kids into violent gangs.

' (Ruth/Fremson New York Times)

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African Colleges Fail a Generation

Underfunded and overcrowded, promising universities begin to buckle

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Oversubscribed schools aim to accommodate unusual schedules

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Underfunded and overcrowded, promising universities begin to buckle

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

education • Africa • school • college • Dakar • student

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Schools Cater to Tech-Enamored Students

New teaching, learning styles may spell an end to lectures

Madonna Starts Malawian Girls School

Star breaks ground on $15M project in children's homeland

Playtime Teaches Kids 'Executive Function'

Emphasis on developing 'executive function' helps control behavior

Princeton Wins College Rankings for 8th Year

Annual survey comes under increasing fire for favoring the rich

Colleges Launch Midnight Classes

Oversubscribed schools aim to accommodate unusual schedules

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Newser By Users

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