Information Science Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis

Abstract

This article examines the trend of Information Science Education offered at various schools in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a view to assessing the present status, appropriateness, and future possibilities vis-à-vis the global trend. Information Science education is largely offered at the graduate level in SSA. The level of information technology (IT) being offered in the curricula, and the laboratory and library facilities available have been examined. Analysis of the survey findings was based on the UNESCO Modular Curriculum for Information Studies, with special emphasis on Information Science. The majority of the programmes were established in the 1980s. Library and Information Science education has developed rapidly in SSA and graduate programmes seem to have increased. Problems facing information science education in SSA are evident in the study. Reference to the US and UK programmes provides a glimpse of the trends of information science education in the developed countries.