African Transformation Agenda to Promote Inclusive Education

Abstract

The chapter appraises transformation as a tool to promote inclusive education using the philosophy of Ubuntu as a framework for reforming African higher education. The general guiding question relates to whether African higher education considers African philosophy in its policies. Transformation does not only refer to structural changes but also entails ensuring that the knowledge transferred relates to the local context and considers access by all and that all are treated with dignity and respect as valuable members of higher education and society at large. Ubuntu philosophy with its core values of humaneness, sharing, interdependence, and the social justice imperatives of equity, redress, and inclusion could contribute to the reconfiguration and transformation of higher education. The philosophy accommodates the rich sense of social characteristics of African society arguing that this could lead to increased access and success, including other essential attributes required to address the current dilemmas and challenges faced by the African higher education sector.