The conversation often centres on physical infrastructure, teacher shortages, and curriculum quality in the ongoing effort to improve education across Africa.
These are undeniably critical factors. However, one aspect is consistently overlooked: leadership and school management.
Across the continent, schools grapple with dilapidated buildings, overcrowded classrooms, limited access to digital tools, and a lack of basic resources. In many cases, these challenges are so pressing that systemic leadership structures and management capabilities are seen as luxuries, secondary to the more visible needs of education delivery.
But what if we’ve had the sequence wrong all along?
The African Education Landscape: A Snapshot
Sub-Saharan Africa has made commendable strides in expanding access to education. Primary school enrolment has increased significantly over the past two decades, and more governments are investing in education as a percentage of GDP. However, the quality of education remains uneven, with millions of students leaving school without basic literacy or numeracy skills.
Teachers are often overburdened. According to UNESCO, Africa needs nearly 17 million more teachers by 2030 to meet the needs of its growing population. Many schools operate without sufficient funding, reliable data systems, and professional development opportunities for their staff.
In this context, school leaders and administrators are stretched thin, frequently promoted from teaching roles with little to no formal training in management. The result? Even the best infrastructure and most passionate educators can’t reach their potential due to disorganised systems, reactive planning, and poor communication.
The Case for Prioritising Leadership and School Management
While infrastructure and teaching quality are vital, they depend heavily on the strength of the school’s management. Effective leadership drives clarity of vision, ensures accountability, fosters collaboration, and creates a learning culture that empowers both staff and students.
Consider this: a school with limited resources but strong leadership can still achieve remarkable outcomes. Clear communication, efficient use of time, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on community involvement can dramatically enhance school performance. Without these elements, even well-resourced schools can flounder.
Moreover, research has shown that school leadership is second only to teaching among school-related factors in its impact on student learning. Yet in many African contexts, leadership development and management tools are given minimal attention or are completely absent.
Technology as a Lever for Change
One of the most promising developments in recent years is the rise of school management technology that supports principals and school leadership teams in planning, reporting, budgeting, and communication.
Digital platforms now exist that can automate administrative tasks, improve parental engagement, and offer data insights to guide decision-making. When combined with leadership training, these tools can transform how schools operate, leading to more efficient, focused, and impactful learning environments.
The catch? Adoption remains low. Many schools are unaware of what’s available or feel they cannot afford it. This is where governments, NGOs, and private sector players must come together to reframe leadership and management not as a secondary concern, but as foundational to education success.
A Shift in Perspective
It’s time for a mindset shift. Infrastructure and curriculum will always be important, but they need a strong management backbone to deliver results. Leadership is not a “nice-to-have”—it is a non-negotiable. For Africa to fully realise its educational potential, school leadership and management must be moved to the front seat of the reform agenda.
As we look to the future, let’s ask a bold question: What would our schools look like if we invested in leadership as deliberately as we do in textbooks and buildings?
