Important issues in African education involve the effects of the colonial education system on African subjects and their countries' political and socio-economic development. Of interest are some countries' efforts to correct dysfunctions resulting from the colonial system. Following independence, the state of education in many African countries in 1960 may be summarized as follows: (1) there was a fairly widespread primary education system with enrollment at about 41% of school age population; (2) adult illiteracy ranged from 50% to 99%; (3) educational expenditure has grown considerably; and (4) there was uncertainty as to the relevance of the educational system to the challenges of the newly independent countries. After independence, there were many efforts to expand educational opportunities. Between 1950-1960, enrollment in about forty primary sector countries increased 3-26%. Problems such as high formal education costs, high unemployment for school leavers, alienation of some educated persons from their culture/communities, and a multiplicity of languages, and lack of educational opportunities have led to a search for functional and less expensive education. Political and social action by many groups in addition to ministries of education will be required to resolve the complex problems of African educational systems. (CSS)