Top 10 African Countries with the Best Education Systems

Which countries in Africa have the best education systems? The World Economic Forum accessed 140 countries, including 38 African countries, to rank the best education systems based on skill development. The report looks at the general level of skills of the workforce and the quantity and quality of education in each country. Factors considered include: developing digital literacy, interpersonal skills, and the ability to think critically and creatively.

In today’s video, we bring you the top 10 countries with the best education systems in Africa. Scores are on a 0 to 100 scale, where 100 represents the optimal situation. By the way, while you are here, consider subscribing to After School Africa for more educative videos like this.

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Meanwhile, watch below the Top 10 Countries with the Best Education Systems in the World

Let’s countdown…

10. Namibia

Namibia, a population of 2.34 million, ranks 100^th position in the global education system and 10^th in Africa with a score of 52.7. It is 43^rd in the global ranking on the Extent of staff training and 82th on Critical thinking in teaching.

Additionally, in Namibia, every citizen between the age limit of 6-16 must receive an education. For this 10-year academic period, the Namibian constitution charges the government with the responsibility of providing funds for education. The literacy rate is 88.2%.

9. Egypt

Furthermore, Egypt ranks 99th position on the global education system, and 9th best in Africa with 52.8 points, slightly ahead of Namibia. It ranks 70th on global Digital skills among the population. Compulsory education lasts 12 years from age 6 to age 17 and the literacy rate is at 71% as of 2017, according to UNESCO.

8. Cape Verde

Surprisingly, Cape Verde follows closely behind Egypt, at 98^th position on the global education system and number 8^th in Africa, with a score of 53.3. It is 53^rd on Critical thinking in teaching and 71^st on Ease of finding skilled employees globally. The country has a population of over 546,000 and literacy rate is estimated at 80 percent. Primary school education in Cape Verde is mandatory between the ages of 6 and 14 years and free for children ages 6 to 12.

7. Kenya

Also, the East African country ranks 95th position on the global education system, ahead of India and behind Brazil, and 7th best in Africa with a score of 55.4. It is 21st in Ease of finding skilled employees and 43rd in Digital skills among the population globally. Compulsory education lasts 12 years from age 6 to age 17

With a population of 49.7 million, 17.58 percent of total government expenditure in 2017 went to education, and the literacy rate is at 78.7 percent according to UNESCO.

6. Botswana

Botswana ranks 92nd position on the global education system behind Iran and ahead of Brazil. It holds the 6^th position in Africa with a score of 56.7. It ranks 67^th on Extent of staff training and 76th on Mean years of schooling.

While some sources claim education in Botswana is free for the first 10 years, according to Wikipedia, Secondary education in Botswana is neither free nor compulsory. The literacy rate is at 88 percent, with a population of 2.3 million.

5. Algeria

The second North African country on this list, Algeria ranks 88th position on the global education system, and 5^th in Africa with 57.4 points. It is also the 65^th position on School life expectancy. With a population of 41.3 million, the literacy rate is at 75 percent.

4. South Africa

Ranked at 84^th position on the global education system, South Africa offers the 4th best education system in Africa with a score of 58.4. It is 53rd in Mean years of schooling and 55th in the Extent of staff training globally. It ranks ahead of Panama and Mexico in the global education system. Over the past decade, the South African government budgeted above 18 percent of its total expenditure on education. It’s not surprising why South African universities rank among the best in Africa and compete globally. The literacy rate is at 94 percent.

And for the top three countries with the best education systems in Africa…

3. Mauritius

Mauritius has the 3^rd best education system in Africa, with 61 points. It holds the 74^th position in the global education system; and ranks 40th position on Extent of staff training and 47th on the Quality of vocational training globally. The government of Mauritius provides free education to its citizens from pre-primary to tertiary levels. Since July 2005, the government also introduced free transport for all students. Schooling is compulsory up to the age of 16. Mauritian students consistently rank top in the world each year for the Cambridge International O Level, and International A and AS level examinations.

2. Tunisia

The second-best education system in Africa is found in Tunisia, which ranks 71st position on the global education system with 61.4 points. It ranks 49^th position for School life expectancy and 51^st for Pupil-to-teacher ratio in primary education.

Since gaining independence from France in 1956, the government of Tunisia has focused on developing an education system that produces a solid human capital base that could respond to the changing needs of a developing nation. Education is the number one priority of the government, with more than 20 percent of the government’s budget allocated to education. The literacy rate as of 2015 was 81%.

And the country with the best education system in Africa is

1. Seychelles

A small country with about 95,000 people, Seychelles holds the position for the best education system in Africa with 69.3 points. It is the only African country in the top 50 education systems globally, at 43^rd position ahead of Ukraine, Hungary, Russia, and UAE. Additionally, it holds a global ranking of 28^th position on Critical thinking in teaching and 34^th on the Skillset of graduates. It is the first and only country in Africa that has fully achieved the “education for all” goal, set by UNESCO.

Additionally, in 2016, according to UNESCO, the government spent 11.72% of total expenditure on education. Education is compulsory up to the age of 16, and free through secondary school until age 18. 98.9 percent of the population aged 15 to 24 is literate.

A rough summary of a few other countries;

Ghana ranks 104^th in the global education system and 12th in Africa ahead of Zimbabwe, while Nigeria sits at 124^th position in the world and 25^th in Africa behind Rwanda.

And there you have it. What’s peculiar about the education system in your country? Share with us in the comment section.

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