The role of teachers in improving learning in Burundi, Malawi, Senegal and Uganda: great expectations, little support

Understanding what is happening with teachers' availability, training and quality is one of the most pressing issues facing education in Africa today.  Over the past decade many African countries have been reducing their investments in teacher training and recruiting non-professional teachers both as a cost-cutting measure and as a quick-fix solution to the teacher shortage.  the full impact of this trend is only now being felt as the teaching profession fragments and learning outcomes deteriorate.