Ms Christa Elise Sanders, Director of Webster University, Ghana has called for the introduction of innovation and technology into the African continent’s educational programmes.
She said the younger generation should be equipped with the necessary skills and training to make them relevant in the emerging job market.
Ms Sanders made the call at the side-lines of the TedxAccra 2015 event in Accra on the theme: “The Next Chapter”.
The TEDxAccra 2015 is an ideas sharing platform for thinkers and doers, where the audiences are encouraged and inspired to move to their own personal next chapter.
The annual event, which had speakers sharing rich ideas and inspiring thinking of a new generation of African thinkers and leaders, saw a large array of youth participation.
Speakers for the event were selected from distinguished nomination lists from within and outside Ghana to deliver inspirational talks, performances, innovative creations as well as better ways of serving societal and business needs.
She said access to quality education is important for the development of the continent while basic education should be at the heart of government policies.
Ms Sanders said even though there are challenges in the continent’s educational programme, there are many achievements which could be celebrated.
“The style of teaching in our schools needs to be improved to bring a holistic approach to problem solving.
“We should also reassess the training of teachers and also equip them to better deliver on their mandate,” she added.
The Director explained that there should be a system to encourage students to interact more with their lecturers to broaden their understanding outside the classroom.
She commended government for its efforts to promote quality education for its citizens.
Professor Patrick Awuah, Co-Founder Ashesi University, said the amount of investment in education on the continent is heavy and the private sector needs to support governments to deliver to their citizens.
He said in promoting quality education, stakeholders need to consider the growing population in their decisions.
“Education will be more of Pan-African with the opening of campuses in various African countries,” he said.
