LAGOS/Nigeria: In a resounding affirmation of their commitment to revolutionize education across the African continent, the Sterling One Foundation has joined forces with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) and key partners. This bold step was solidified during the 2023 High-Level Policy Dialogue held in Zambia, an event hosted by ADEA and the Zambian Ministry of Education.
The pivotal objective of this gathering was to inform crucial policy decisions regarding foundational learning, a fundamental cornerstone in shaping Africa’s educational landscape. Discussions at the dialogue were geared towards fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and informing policies that will significantly impact the anticipated African Union Year of Education in 2024.
For years, experts have decried the dire state of Africa’s youth due to an inadequate educational system and an exponential rise in population. Alarming statistics revealed by the State of Global Education Update for Sub-Saharan Africa highlighted a stark reality: a mere 10% of 10-year-olds possess basic literacy and numeracy skills, placing the region at the bottom globally.
In response to this pressing challenge, ten African Ministers of Education and other country representatives collectively vowed to prioritize foundational learning. Their concerted effort aims to craft a comprehensive foundational learning starter pack model slated for deployment during the 2024 African Union Year of Education and beyond. This initiative is envisioned as a unified resource framework to catalyze sustainable solutions across participating nations.
Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of the Sterling One Foundation, lauded the resolutions from the Dialogue, emphasizing their potential to bolster the contributions of private sector entities and civil society organizations. She underscored the pivotal role of policies in sustainable development work across early childhood and primary education sectors, expressing eagerness to witness the integration of these resolutions into their initiatives.
Key focal points of the dialogue’s resolutions include structured pedagogy adoption, implementation of age-appropriate teaching methods, and leveraging technology to enhance teacher quality through training and performance monitoring.
Echoing the sentiment, Hon. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima, Zambia’s Minister of Education, emphasized the pivotal role of foundational learning in propelling Africa’s development trajectory. He stressed that without proficient numeracy and literacy skills, the quality of further education remains compromised.
The dialogue provided a platform for reviewing solutions and insights from participating nations, fostering an environment for shared learning and adaptability. Furthermore, school visits facilitated firsthand exposure to play-based learning initiatives facilitated by progressive policies.
Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary of ADEA, emphasized the imperative of collective commitment to address Africa’s learning crisis, identifying the continent as both most affected and pivotal in devising solutions. He commended the collaborative efforts of Education Ministers and stakeholders, urging sustained momentum for accelerated progress.
Keynote addresses by luminaries such as Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili and Dr. Benjamin Piper reinforced the advocacy for data-driven decisions and scaling proven methodologies. Their contributions underscored the need for relentless efforts to advance impactful solutions in foundational learning across the continent.
The collaboration between Sterling One Foundation and ADEA signifies a watershed moment in African education. Their concerted efforts, fortified by strategic partnerships and a commitment to sustainable change, promise a transformative impact on Africa’s educational landscape.
About ADEA
The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) serves as a pivotal forum for education policy dialogue on the African continent. Hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Côte d’Ivoire, ADEA aims to empower African countries to develop education systems that respond effectively to their evolving needs, propelling sustainable social and economic transformation.
About Sterling One Foundation
Sterling One Foundation (SOF) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to tackling poverty’s root causes in Nigeria and Africa. Through interventions and impactful programs spanning climate action, health, education, youth development, gender equality, and food security, SOF prioritizes strategic partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For further information, visit www.onefoundation.ng.
