Professor Asmal, how do you assess the general level of education across Africa?
Education, like everything else in Africa suffers from underdevelopment. There are extremes. And, like in every African country, there are virtually two educational systems. One is a real system – for the wealthier, who can afford to set up their own schools or in urban areas, where the government sets up first class schools. And then theres the poor and very poor whose facilities are still very, very primitive. On the other hand, with the first flush of enthusiasm, you must remember that all African countries put an enormous amount into education. I mean Zambia had four high schools for 4.5m people! They didnt have a university, they didnt have a teachers training college. And, of course, Zimbabwe is a classic example of putting an enormous amount of money in what I call the social services – education, welfare, health and capital investment.
