Abstract

One of the millennium development goals (MDGs) is the achievement of universal primary education (UPE). It is seen as part of the child's rights and also as a force capable of freeing the child from ignorance, disease, poverty and making him a better human being. Africa is lagging behind in the pursuit of UPE and there are odds (roadblocks) working against its achievement. Such problems have been identified to include lack of adequate planning, poor funding, poor state of physical facilities, the incidence of HIV/AIDS and malaria, absence of research activities to support education, medium of instruction, etc. The first four are discussed in this paper. It is argued that except Africa does something to tackle the problems and achieve UPE, it shall remain a passive observer instead of being an active participant in the new world order.

Key words: Africa, achievement, millennium development goals (MDGs), universal primary education (UPE).