An Assessment Of China's Role In Boosting Education Development In Africa

This study examines the role of China in bolstering education development in Africa using the case study of Cameroon.Through the qualitative research design and interpretative paradigms,this work uses ATLAS ti.,the qualitative research data analysis software for exploring,coding,grouping,categorizing and abstracting the data about relevant policy documents on China-Cameroon cooperation,educational aid assistance,and guiding policies of education development in general and the development of education sector in Cameroon.The present work adopts selected Development theories relating to the issues of education development in China-Cameroon cooperation and,selected theories of International Relations to understand how effective policy guidance in China-Cameroon education cooperation can boost the education development in Cameroon.Consequently,the study explores the education cooperation between China and Cameroon at different levels including the scientific research projects and inter-university collaboration;the human resource development programs such as scholarship provision and personnel training;the primary and secondary schools building;and the provision of learning and teaching materials.The study of relevant policies indicates that,the China-Cameroon education cooperation policy has been the same China adopted with other African nations,relying on the policy of mutual respect,mutual learning,mutual trust and common development,all viewed by both partners as fundamentals to further strengthening the education exchange and drawing and sharing development experiences.The study also identifies opportunities and benefits resulting from the present cooperation,and which will in one hand,enable Cameroon to overcome her education problems(funding,management,infrastructures,educations supplies,quality assurance),and on the other hand,offer opportunity to China to write new success stories with Africa.However,the findings in this work provide relevant information on existing problems in Chinese education assistance to Cameroon and give enlightenments to China as donor to enhance future cooperation.These problems have been involving the monitoring and coordination of aid flows which has been having negative impacts on the effectiveness of this aid on the education development;the lack of strong cooperation in some strategic education sectors of education such as TVET which could have great impact on country's development etc.To come up with solutions to these problems,this work argues that,if China's assistance is well coordinated at all levels both by Cameroon and China,if overall implementation is backed up by coherent education development policy;if there is enhancement of managing scholarship programs;if there is more involvement of China in providing basic schools' infrastructures;if there is a strong and effective cooperation program in TVET;then the education sector in Cameroon could definitely help to increase opportunities,reduce poverty and bolster the socioeconomic development thanks to the China-Cameroon education cooperation.Overall,the present work provides new strategies for education development in Cameroon.Over the time,the efforts and strategies put in place to develop the education sector in Cameroon have been closely tied to international cooperation with western countries.However,the research shows that education in Cameroon is still in deteriorated state,demonstrating the probable incompatibility of the adopted strategies and the national needs.This research will be useful for understanding China's new paradigm for sustainable development in African countries such as Cameroon;it will contribute to broaden studies on education development through international cooperation but giving priority to China's experience.By exploring the educational exchanges between China and Cameroon from 1971 till date in all levels of education,this study provides a window to understand the degree of success of the 47 years of cooperation;raises awareness on the existing problems to overcome while providing the opportunity to trace the directions of healthier cooperation in the future.Overcoming cooperation challenges implies that the countries engaged in cooperation will further strengthen their relationship.To this effect,this study will be a bridge for China and Cameroon to further intensify their people-to-people relations,break cultural barriers,and give opportunities to Chinese and Cameroonian students and scholars who are interested in conducting research to pursue their goals in a more conducive environment.