Effect of Education Investment on Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors

  • Martin Sikuku Durban University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47672/ijpid.2307

Keywords:

Education Investment, Poverty Reduction, Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of education investment on poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa.

Materials and Methods: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.

Findings: The study found that increased funding in education significantly boosts economic growth, leading to higher employment rates and income levels. For instance, access to quality education equips individuals with essential skills and knowledge, enhancing their employability and productivity. According to recent data, countries that have prioritized educational spending have seen a notable decline in poverty rates, as educated individuals are better positioned to secure well-paying jobs and contribute to economic development. Furthermore, education investment fosters social mobility, enabling disadvantaged groups to break the cycle of poverty and achieve improved living standards

Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Human capital theory, social capital theory and capability approach may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the effect of education investment on poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa. Practitioners should implement holistic educational programs that integrate multiple forms of investment, such as combining early childhood education with health and nutritional support, teacher training with modern pedagogical tools, and technology integration with localized digital content. Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa should prioritize education in their budget allocations, not only increasing funding but also ensuring efficient and transparent utilization of funds to maximize impact.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adeyemi, K. (2022). Impact of Community-Based Education Programs on Literacy Rates in Rural Ethiopia. Journal of African Education, 15(3), 213-230. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/africaned/v15.3.213

Barrett, A. M. (2018). The Education Infrastructure Gap. Journal of Education Development, 44(1), 12-24. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jedudev.2017.12.002

Barungi, M. (2020). Early Childhood Education and Poverty Alleviation in Uganda. International Journal of Early Childhood Education, 8(4), 301-319. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-020-00231-4

Becker, G. S. (1993). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education. University of Chicago Press.

Bourdieu, P. (1986). The Forms of Capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241-258). Greenwood.

Bulman, G., & Fairlie, R. W. (2019). Technology and Education: Computers, Software, and the Internet. Handbook of the Economics of Education, 5, 239-280. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.hesedu.2016.09.004

Darling-Hammond, L. (2020). Teacher Preparation and Development in the 21st Century. Educational Researcher, 49(1), 30-42. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X19899020

Dlamini, S. (2021). Vocational Education and Economic Empowerment in South Africa. South African Journal of Education, 41(1), 45-59. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v41n1a2006

Hanushek, E. A., & Woessmann, L. (2020). The Economic Impacts of Learning Losses. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 225. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1787/21908d74-en

Heckman, J. J. (2019). Early Childhood Education and the Development of Human Capital. American Economic Review, 109(1), 204-208. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.109.1.204

Kimani, J. (2019). Teacher Training and Educational Outcomes in Kenya: A Longitudinal Study. East African Educational Research Journal, 9(2), 135-150. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2019.1605863

Mwangi, P. (2018). Technology Integration in Education and Poverty Reduction in Tanzania. African Journal of Educational Technology, 7(1), 89-105. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/00020282.2018.1436065

National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda. (2018). Poverty Trend Analysis Report. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1787/888933900631

National Statistical Office. (2021). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-9142

Nkrumah, K. (2018). Educational Infrastructure Development and Poverty in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Development Studies, 15(2), 167-184. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4314/gjds.v15i2.10

Oduro, A. (2019). Government Education Spending and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria. Nigerian Economic Review, 25(1), 57-75. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1108/NER-07-2018-0012

OECD. (2020). Education at a Glance 2020: OECD Indicators. OECD Publishing. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1787/69096873-en

Psacharopoulos, G., & Patrinos, H. A. (2018). Returns to Investment in Education: A Decennial Review of the Global Literature. Education Economics, 26(5), 445-458. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/09645292.2018.1484426

Robeyns, I. (2018). Wellbeing, Freedom and Social Justice: The Capability Approach Re-Examined. Open Book Publishers. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0130

U.S. Census Bureau. (2020). Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.18356/20765202-2020-6

UNESCO. (2020). Ethiopia Literacy Rate - Adult (% of People Ages 15 and Above). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.15220/978-92-9189-208-2-en

Woolcock, M. (2018). Social Capital and Economic Development: Toward a Theoretical Synthesis and Policy Framework. Theory and Society, 27(2), 151-208. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006884930135

World Bank. (2020). Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1602-4

Downloads

Published

2024-08-22

How to Cite

Sikuku, M. (2024). Effect of Education Investment on Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Poverty, Investment and Development, 5(2), 47–57. https://doi.org/10.47672/ijpid.2307

Issue

Section

Articles