Education and training for subject specialization in academic and researchlibraries in Africa - A theoretical critical reappraisal

The author strongly believes that for any country in Africa to make decisio ns on the education and training of librarians without minding its national goals is intellectual irresponsibility. It is necessary for educational po licy makers in Africa not only to consider carefully the proper aims of edu cation in the context of the particular environment, but also continually t o review critically those aims to ensure that they equal the changing value s. Education and training for subject specialization in academic research l ibraries (ARL) in Africa is necessary, but it is not the highly prized type obtainable in the developed countries of the world. The author considered the provision for local adjustment of the international standards of educat ion and training of librarians made by the International Federation of Libr ary Associations (IFLA) and deemed it the best option for Africa. The Afric an philosophy of librarianship, especially concerning the education and tra ining for subject specialization in ARL, is presented. The author concludes that the undergraduate degree type of education and training of librarians with "sufficient" subject background, which will not only enable the gradu ates to achieve the national objectives of their countries but will also gr adually pilot them to the ideal international standard, is the most accepta ble and relevant one for Africa. A number of suggestions are made to improv e the education and training of librarians in Africa.