• Why we do our work

  The potential of young people in sub-Saharan Africa: By 2050, Africa’s young population will increase by nearly 50%, and 450 million workers are projected to join the workforce in the next decade. Quality education and jobs for the world’s largest youth population could lift millions from poverty and strengthen societies globally. But without these opportunities, the world faces the risk of migration and unrest. 

  Filling the knowledge gap: Decisions should be taken based on evidence to maximise scarce resources and improve young people’s lives. ​Yet, there are big gaps in data and evidence about education for young people and its relevance for work. ​

  We do not know where young people go after they leave college or university, the number of university and college staff and academics needed to educate students, and how COVID-19 has impacted the financial strength of universities and colleges and their ability to teach. This leads to low, badly targeted investment. We want to change this.

• How we work

  Our work starts with harnessing the power of universities and colleges to transform Africa's future.

  • Colleges, universities, and vocational courses build young people’s skills for work and skills to be active citizens in their communities.

  • Colleges and universities are hubs for knowledge, driving evidence, and solutions for transforming society.

  • These institutions are the training ground for professionals; including teachers, education staff, and vital health workers.​

• What we do

  • Identify the biggest issues in tertiary education​, driven by the needs of young people, educators, and employers.  ​

  • Build influential partnerships with organisations that want to improve education in Africa and beyond.​

  • Understand what data and evidence is needed for change​. 

  • Turn data and evidence into action: finding practical solutions, maximising resources, and attracting investment.

  • Harness the power of Africa’s universities, colleges, and businesses to advocate solutions at scale​.

  • Improve education and increase work for young people in sub-Saharan Africa​.

  Our work is aligned to Sustainable Development Goals: ​Quality Education and Decent Work, and ​the Africa Union Agenda 2063. 

• Where we work

  For the period 2021-2026, we will focus on: 

  • Ghana 

  • Kenya 

  • Uganda 

  • Zambia 

  Who we reach with our work and how we reach them is critical for us to be able to make a difference. Our work has relevance across the continent, but we are a small organisation and recognise that there is no "one size fits all" approach to development. ESSA therefore takes a country-specific emphasis to its work, co-creating and producing relevant, fit-for purpose, useful and usable evidence to partners at the national and institutional levels. 

Kanuni zetu

• Mfumo wa ushirikiano

  Kazi muhimu inafanywa na wengi ili kufikia SDG na mafanikio makubwa makubwa kama vile upatikanaji wa elimu uliongezeka. Kwa bahati mbaya, kazi hii haijaunganishwa daima. Mbinu ya ESSA ya kuwaunganisha kwa ufanisi wale walio na utaalamu muhimu, ujuzi na mahusiano tayari vinaleta thamani kwa kazi ya washirika wetu. Mfano ni ushirika wetu wa pamoja na Chama cha Vyuo vikuu vya Afrika (AAU)-

• Ushirikiano mkubwa

  Hatua yetu ya kuanzia imekuwa kuwasikiliza wanafunzi, walimu, jamii, serikali, biashara, wasomi, mashirika yasiyo ya serikali, watoa misaada na wengine ndani na nje ya Afrika ya Jangwa la Sahara. Kwa kuzingatia matokeo ambayo wanataka kufanikisha, kuunga mkono kazi zao na kuzichangia tayari tunajenga jumuiya thabiti ya maslahi katika makundi haya. Kutoka kwenye warsha za wanafunzi na walimu katika shule za kunyimwa na za mashambani na pia katika Taasisi za Elimu ya Juu ili kuchangia katika makusanyiko makubwa ya kimkakati. 

• Mtazamo wa Hatua kwa Hatua

  Tumejenga kasi na mahusiano kwa haraka kupitia msisitizo wa mapema kuhusu Elimu ya Juu na kuzingatia utengenezaji uwezo. Ubia uliojengwa umekuwa muhimu katika kukusanya fedha, rasilimali na uaminifu ili kuunda hali ya athari endelevu.

  Tulichagua sekta ya Elimu ya Juu kama hatua ya kwanza kwa sababu taasisi za Elimu za Juu zenye mafanikio ni madereva thabiti wa maendeleo ya kiuchumi na ya kitaifa pamoja na vituo vya uvumbuzi, wanaendeleza na kuwafunza waelimishaji kote katika wigo wa elimu na pia ni lango la kuelekea mazingira ya kielimu ya nchi.

• Waafrika katika kitovu cha yote tunayofanya

  Washirika wetu katika bara hili ni pamoja na mashirika yanayoongoza kama vile Chama cha Vyuo Vikuu vya Afrika (AAU), Baraza la Kitaifa la Elimu ya Juu (NCTE) la Ghana na Chuo Kikuu cha Uongozi wa Afrika (ALU). Pia tunalenga kuwa na bodi na timu zenye Waafrika wengi na kwa kumteua Joel Kibazo kama mdhamini wetu wa kwanza Mwafrika, tumeanzisha mchakato. 

  "Tunapenda wazo kwamba ESSA imezaliwa kutokana na kuwafundisha wanafunzi na kuwapa walimu mafunzo katika shule kama yetu. Wazo kwamba jambo kuu kama hili limeinuka na kuundwa na maoni yetu na yale ya wanafunzi ni jambo la kuvutia. Wakati timu ya ESSA inasema inawaweka Waafrika katika kitovu cha yote inayoyafanya hii ni kweli kabisa."

  Magdalene Mtwele - Shule ya Walimu Mafiga, Morogoro Tanzania