AN ASSESSMENT OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Despite  decades  of  heightened  calls  for  global cooperation   presented   by   the   advocates   of globalisation,  power  asymmetry  between  the Global  North  and  Global  South  continues  to define  the  policy  agenda  on  education  to  the detriment of Sub-Saharan Africa. In this regard, Africa   has   emerged   as   lacking   agency   in policymaking on issues of global concern such as  health  and  education.  Emerging  evidence related  to  COVID-19  response  has  exposed deep  rooted  systemic  vulnerabilities  amongst developing economies. This study is guided by critical    globalisation    and    interdependency theories.    Using    desk    review    method,    it interrogates  the  effectiveness  of  global  efforts, with a particular bias on Global Partnership for Education –a multi-stakeholder partnership and funding   initiative   that   attempt   to   mobilize international supportfor education in developing  countries.  It  particularly  assesses interventions   with   a   focus   on   vulnerable children   and   youths.   It   also   examines   the effectiveness     of     assistance     accorded     to governments  in  the  South  as  an  attempt  to improve  on  dispensation  ofequity  in  learning through  strengthening  their  education  systems in the times of COVID-19. The study questions why, little, if any, impact on education has been realized -despite  the  establishment  of the  GPE evidenced    by    continued    high    levels    of dependency  on  solutions  emanating  from  the Global  North.  The  findings  suggest  that  the speed   with   which   GPE   responded   to   the challenge  has  enhanced  the  net  gain  of  its commitment   beyond   its   face   value.   It   also established  that  timing  of  a  response  is  a  more critical factor than the intervention itself. Thus, whenever there were delays in processing GPE, the  amount  expended  ends  up  recording  lesser successes than the timely meager sum invested. However,   agency   and   adequacy   have   not matched   the   success   of   the   timing. We recommend  broadening  of  SSA  countries’ agency    on    interventions    that    target    their citizenry.