BERLIN, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- A study of education in seven African countries finds financial mismanagement and poor accountability are hurting children, a report released Tuesday said.
"Africa Education Watch: Good Governance Lessons For Primary Education" was prepared by Transparency International. It examined school management in Ghana, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
"Increasing school enrollment is not enough," said Stephane Stassen, head of the Africa Education Watch program. "To ensure true, lasting progress in education levels and best use of the scarce resources available, oversight and accountability must be improved."
The report said at least some parents in all seven countries reported being made to pay registration fees even though primary schools are legally free. Overall, 44 percent of the parents said they were charged fees, ranging from 9 percent in Ghana to 90 percent in Morocco.
A majority of all schools in all countries had no accounting systems or deficient ones. Most head teachers reported receiving no training in financial management.
Financial oversight was lacking. As a result, funds intended for primary education could be diverted.
The report was based on 8,500 questionnaires completed by district education officials, head teachers and parents.
