INDIGENOUS PUBLISHING AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR KNOWLEDGE CREATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN AFRICA THROUGH READING AND LITERACY

Africa has suffered lowered literacy standards compared to the rest of the world because its leaders have ignored the most strategic industry – indigenous publishing – and the attendant National Book and Reading Policies to guide, develop and nurture book publishing industries in of support education at all levels which ensure own knowledge creation for cultural pride and national development.

This paper explores the all-important issue of quality education from the point of view of books and reading and their role in literacy development for continental, regional and national building. Quality education cannot fully happen without quality and relevant content. Teachers and students need quality content that will ensure academic excellence for knowledgeable and articulate nation builders. Much progress has been achieved in Africa’s education agenda, but now there is a need to focus on indigenous book publishing of educational resources with full support from governments. Over-reliance on outside publishing decision-making has over time suppressed the ability of African publishing to flourish and enable it to support the reading needs of all learners. This paper discusses what can be done going forward. It has been said that destroying a nation does not require the use of atomic bombs or the use of long-range missiles; it can be done by suppressing knowledge development and management and lowering academic standards. Africa has suffered lowered literacy standards as compared to the rest of the world because African society and its leaders have ignored the most strategic industry – indigenous publishing and the attendant most needed National Book and Reading Policies necessary to guide, develop and nurture book publishing industries to not only support education at all levels but to ensure cultural pride and national development through own writings and knowledge creation. There is a need to facilitate the strategic vision of the Africa Union Agenda 2063 and the Common Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-25) whose desire is for all to work together to develop Africa through a well trained and an articulate human resource. Africa needs to have its own home-grown knowledge and knowledge management systems to contribute meaningfully and competently within the world’s knowledge base.

AUTHOR: Lily Msae Nyariki

Lily holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Literature and two Postgraduate Diplomas in Librarianship and Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and the Leeds Metropolitan University (UK) respectively. She has worked for the Public Sector, NGO’s and International organizations for over 30 years. Lily is a Focal Point for Books and Learning Materials for ADEA

Email: Lmnyariki@gmail.com
Twitter: @lnyariki1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-nyariki-a58638185/