TED: How Africa can use its traditional knowledge to make progress | Chika ezeanya-esiobu

The speaker shares a personal story about buying an alphabet sheet, which leads to a reflection on the cultural disconnect in education systems in Africa. The narrative highlights the challenges faced due to Western-centric curricula and the importance of integrating traditional African knowledge. The speaker discusses experiences with the World Bank and the success of traditional systems like Gacaca in Rwanda. The talk concludes with a call to action for Africa to embrace its indigenous knowledge for development.

What prompted the speaker to reflect on the state of education in Africa?

• A conversation with a teacher

• A visit to a local school

• An encounter with a vendor selling an alphabet sheet

• A documentary on African education

Why did the speaker feel disconnected from the education they received?

• The education was too advanced

• The education was focused on technology

• The education was too easy

• The education was not relevant to their local environment

What realization did the speaker have about African curricula?

• It is too expensive

• It is only available in urban areas

• It is too focused on technology

• It lacks integration of traditional African knowledge

What is the Tassa method?

• A type of African dance

• A modern irrigation technique

• A traditional African irrigation method

• A Western agricultural practice

What was the outcome of using the Tassa method in agriculture?

• It decreased crop yield

• It had no effect on crop yield

• It significantly increased crop yield

• It was banned due to inefficiency

What did the speaker observe during a loan negotiation session in Africa?

• The session was dominated by African negotiators

• African negotiators were intimidated and lacked confidence

• The session was canceled

• African negotiators were confident and assertive

What is Gacaca?

• A traditional African dance

• Rwanda's traditional judicial system

• A modern legal system

• A type of African cuisine

What philosophy did Gacaca emphasize?

• Economic development

• Western legal principles

• Reconciliation and reintegration

• Punishment and banishment

According to the speaker, what is essential for Africa's transformation?

• Increasing foreign aid

• Acknowledging and mainstreaming traditional knowledge

• Adopting Western education systems

• Building more schools

What did Joseph Shabalala say about the task ahead?

• It is impossible to achieve

• It is greater than the power within us

• It requires external help

• It can never be greater than the power within us