Director of the African Union’s Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Prof. Saidou Madougou, has said more than 90 per cent of 10-year-olds in the region struggle to read simple texts or perform basic math tasks.
This, he said, is worrisome despite the increasing access of African children to education.
Madougou expressed this worry when the government of Zambia inaugurated the End-Learning-Poverty for All in Africa campaign, titled “Read, Write, Count: Foundation4Life,” in Lusaka on Wednesday.
The campaign aims to increase the number of children who can read, write, and perform basic math by the age of 10.
Its ultimate goal is to ensure that every child in Africa has access to quality foundational literacy and numeracy skills by 2035.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the African Union established the ELPAF campaign during the September 2024 conference on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, in partnership with UNICEF.
This initiative is designed to mobilise resources, expertise, and political will to tackle the learning crisis by enhancing foundational learning across Africa.
Madougou, who spoke on behalf of the African Union Commission, highlighted the broader impact of the foundational educational crisis.
He said failure to ensure children have a good education in their early school years not only affects education but also all aspects of development.
He emphasised that the issue undermined their potential as active citizens and economically productive members of society.
Speaking, Dr Nejmudin Bilal, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Zambia, lauded the timing of the ELPAF campaign, noting that it aligned with the global recognition of the importance of foundational learning.
He stated, “Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and foundational learning is the first step on this journey.”
Zambia’s Minister of Education, Mr Douglas Syakalima, who spoke on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, held that Zambia was the first country to launch the continental campaign.
He emphasised the urgency for political leaders, policymakers, development partners, and communities to address the issue of learning poverty among African children.
Syakalima stated, “The launch of this campaign underscores the importance we place on foundational learning and our commitment to advancing education in Zambia.”
He added that the campaign aimed to highlight deficits in literacy and drive action to ensure all children acquired literacy, numeracy, and essential social and emotional skills.
