AFRICA: LATEST UPDATES

The continent continues to see a rise in infections, despite some countries recording shrinking numbers in their daily case count. The African countries most affected by COVID-19 include South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. With a significant variation in its impact across the continent, things are looking up in certain countries with schools reopening, lifting of curfews and travel restrictions, and markets getting back to full capacity.

The COVID‑19 crisis, however, is taking a toll on the region’s already limited fiscal space. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched programs to deal with the economic downturn. Nigeria introduced social intervention programs amid the pandemic for small and medium businesses in a bid to protect the future of its promising technology sector. Last week, South Africa agreed upon an economic recovery plan directed at building of confidence and placing the country on a path of investment and growth.

The economic slowdown in Africa due to COVID-19 will have considerable bearing on its ability to invest in education at a time when demand is only increasing. With a growing youth population, Africa is expected to become the youngest continent in the world by 2030, a prevailing trend that will mean rising demand for higher education. With a combined population of 1.2 billion and a median age of 20 years, but with inadequate local education infrastructure, Africa is expected to become the fastest growing international student market in the near future.

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) has launched a new ‘Leadership for Africa’ programme for young people experiencing hardship; it promises talented young Africans 55 grants each year with the opportunity to continue their studies. es.

News from NORTH AFRICA

Algeria – The total COVID-19 cases in Algeria have exceeded 50,000. The decision to open schools for the academic year 2020-2021 depends on how the COVID-19 progresses in the country. Algeria resumed its economic and commercial activities since 7 June as part of its efforts to return to normalcy.

Egypt – The coronavirus recovery rate in this most populous Arab country has reached 87.7 percent. With international flights resuming and tourist spots opening up, Egypt’s COVID cases have remained in check so far, but the country concedes that the upcoming winter season starting in October may be a tough one. The American University in Cairo (AUC) hosted the graduation ceremony for a pilot cohort of teachers enrolled in an Arabic ICT-CFT blended learning program developed in collaboration with UNESCO. Egypt has climbed to the 42^nd position in the US News global education ranking this year, and the country ranks third in the Arab world in terms of quality of education.

Morocco – With climbing numbers, the country has over 100,000 cases now. Schools resumed on 7 September, but a record-high daily case count has meant the cancellation of in-person classes for populous cities like Casablanca. The Ministry of Education and UNDP announced the launch of a crowdfunding program to assist students from disadvantaged areas facing challenges with distance learning. Last week, the Ministry also announced a detailed protocol on how to manage Covid-19 cases in schools.

News from EAST AFRICA

Kenya – Kenya on Monday confirmed 98 new cases of COVID-19 from 1600 sample tests, bringing the number of confirmed positive infections to 37,079. Fresh health protocols have been released for the reopening of primary and secondary schools, with recommendations to push forward the KCSE and KCPE examinations to April 2021. Universities have been asked to expedite their infrastructural development work and prepare for a phased re-opening on a case-to-case basis. Educationists and independent experts are calling for an overhaul of Kenya’s research funding model to boost its ability to meet the country’s needs. Kenya’s current allocation for research amounts to 0.5% of GDP, which appears inadequate compared to the country’s research needs and potential.

Mauritius – No local cases of Covid-19 have been detected for more than 150 days now, except for a few imported cases. Mauritius will reopen its borders from 1 October under strict COVID safety measures. Those arriving will be required to quarantine for 14 days at personal cost.

News from WEST AFRICA

Ghana – Currently, Ghana has recorded 46,004 COVID-19 cases. A three-month extension of multiple restrictions has been announced to strengthen the country’s fight against the pandemic. The selection of schools into Senior High Schools (SHS) by the Junior High School candidates who have completed their Basic Education Certificate Exams has begun. This exercise is expected to end by 31 October. Mobile Web Ghana, a technology and entrepreneurship hub, in partnership with the US Embassy has launched American Corner Agbobga, a new cultural and educational centre for innovation, networking and information sharing. c

Nigeria – With the total number of COVID cases nearing 57,500, Nigeria is among the five hardest-hit countries in Africa. The largest African economy with a population of 200 million, Nigeria faces greater challenges than many other countries with the collapse of crude oil prices. Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB), a national examination body announced academic activities for 2020/2021 with sessions commencing from 30 September up till June 2021. The decision to reopen schools has been left with management and state governors. In a recent meeting with representatives of the United Kingdom-based scholarship students in London, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to clear all outstanding fees owed to students under its foreign scholarship programme. 

Cameroon – Phase three of the response strategy to COVID-19 in Cameroon came to a close on 22 August 2020 with 20,431 confirmed cases since the onset of the pandemic. New guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year opening are being prepared by a committee which will be handed over to the educational community and parents. The country will open schools on 5 October after six months of closure. The new National School of Local Administration (NASLA) has officially replaced the former CEFAM (The Franco-American Centre of Management).

News from SOUTHERN AFRICA

South Africa – T he number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in South Africa has crossed 16,000.  A strong health system, research in health science, and diagnostic capacity have provided a steady foundation to the COVID-19 response in the country and region. South Africa enters the lowest level of lockdown from 20 September, and international borders too will reopen from 1 October. The South African Technology Network (SATN) and its local and international partners have been successful in applying to the European Commission to establish a South African chapter of the network for Higher Education Reform Experts – the first of its kind in Africa.

Zambia – Zambia observed 14,175 total cases as of yesterday with 13,629 recoveries. Travel is open to foreign nationals, however, according to the US Embassy in Zambia, the Government has suspended all tourist visas until further notice.

WWEC Initiatives

9-10 October: Fanshawe College is hosting a 2-day virtual event ‘Fanshawe Worldwide Fair’ for all current applied and prospective international students. Maple Assist is the digital partner for promoting the event across South Asian Markets.

OUR RESOURCES Worldwide EduConnect International Recruitment Solutions: https://worldeduconnect.com/ WWEC LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/worldwide-educonnect Maple Assist Blog: https://www.mapleassist.com/blogs/ Maple Assist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFhQ5_uIF4cQLidiOO_m-Q Scotiabank Resource Centre for Newcomers to Canada: https://startright.scotiabank.com/covid-19-resources.html