Africa: Advancing quality education for economic transformation

In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, the founder of Human Capital Africa and former Minister of Education in Nigeria, shared alarming statistics on the state of education in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to Human Capital Africa, 9 out of 10 children in the region cannot read, write, or do basic mathematics by the age of 10. This data underscores a global crisis in learning, with 6 out of every 10 children worldwide failing to achieve minimum proficiency in literacy and numeracy by the age of 10. However, the situation is even more dire in Africa, where 9 out of every 10 children struggle to acquire these essential skills. Dr. Ezekwesili stressed the long-term impact of this educational shortfall, highlighting how it hampers not only learning achievement but also future employment opportunities and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. She emphasized the urgent need to address this foundational issue to ensure that investments in higher education levels yield the desired outcomes. Dr. Ezekwesili outlined key areas that need attention to equip African youth with essential skills from an early age. She emphasized the importance of early childhood education, particularly for disadvantaged children who often lack access to such opportunities. By focusing on cognitive, social, and physical skills in the pre-primary years, children can develop a strong foundation for learning. Furthermore, Dr. Ezekwesili emphasized the need to assess and strengthen literacy and numeracy skills in the early grades of formal education. Recognizing the critical role of teachers in the learning process, she underscored the importance of quality pedagogy, relevant curriculum, and alignment with the digital and economic realities of the modern world. Discussing policy interventions to improve foundational learning in Africa, Dr. Ezekwesili highlighted the crucial role of teachers and classroom practices. She stressed the importance of structured pedagogy, effective teaching materials, and continuous assessment to ensure that children are actually learning and progressing. By focusing on both micro-level interventions in the classroom and macro-level data-driven policymaking, she advocated for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of educational challenges. In response to these pressing issues, Dr. Ezekwesili referenced the recent launch of a ministerial coalition aimed at improving foundation learning in Africa. This initiative seeks to drive policy reforms that prioritize teacher quality, pedagogical practices, and data-driven decision-making to enhance learning outcomes on a systemic level. As Africa grapples with the urgent need to transform its education system to meet the demands of the 21st century, Dr. Ezekwesili's call to correct the foundations of learning stands as a rallying cry for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders across the continent. By investing in quality education from the early years and implementing evidence-based interventions, Africa can unlock the potential of its youth and pave the way for sustainable economic development and prosperity.