ADEA 2008 BIENNALE ON EDUCATION IN AFRICA Beyond

ADEA 2008 BIENNALE ON EDUCATION IN AFRICA: “Beyond Primary Education” Parallel Session 6 D: Teacher Issues in Post – Primary Education Staff Retention & Links With the Diaspora Study By: Prof. Paschal B. Mihyo

Problem Statement The study’s objectives were: To examine the effects of staff capacity erosion on HEIs in Africa Document the creative and innovative strategies adopted by HEIs to retain staff Examine and document existing and potential links with highly skilled Africans in the Diaspora

Methodology 4 countries chosen on basis of regional and lingual representation Open ended questionnaire Telephone interviews KUNST &UCC Face to face meetings UGL, GIMPA, KIST, NUR and UNZA Informal meetings with staff KIST, NUR &UNZA Separate study for Nigeria

Findings: Staff Capacity Erosion as A Threat to Reforms n n n n Staff capacity erosion through turnover and brain drain Funding: Education budgets had decreased Policy frameworks are weak Statistics in HEIs and policy units are weak Wages are not competitive Support for research is lacking Promotion procedures are too long

Main Lessons Learned Flexible system of recruitment help Autonomy from government helps HEIs to develop policies that work Staff support for research and advancement is critical Teaming up with the Diaspora is helping and may help fill gaps IT support is essential for research and improved delivery

Conclusions: Messages to Policy Makers n n n Increase funding for HEIs Fund research and staff development Support respectable incomes for academic staff Mobilize support through loans and guarantees of loans for IHE Establish links with Diaspora organizations Integrate higher education in poverty reduction strategies

Follow up Activities Planned n n WGHE Compendium of Diasporan Databases Project to developing the next generation of Academics (PHEA) Continuous advocacy and specific recommendations for institutions through AAU Recommendations to COMEDAF through ADEA to AU and development partners

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