The challenge of basic education in Africa and solutions for the future
Basic education constitutes the foundation on which the development of a country rests. However, in Africa, many challenges persist in this area, jeopardizing the future of the continent’s youth. This worrying reality was highlighted at a recent conference held in Enugu, Nigeria.
At the conference, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Education, Enugu State Government, Mr. Onyia, outlined the alarming findings of a November 2023 assessment of primary schools in the state. The conclusions were clear: 50% of children are not able to read a single word in English after six years of primary school, and those who can experience comprehension difficulties. Additionally, half of children cannot solve simple subtraction operations.
This situation is not specific to Enugu State, it is repeated across the entire Nigerian nation. International organizations, such as the World Bank, UNICEF and UNESCO, have described it as “Nigeria’s learning crisis”. About 3 in 4 children who complete basic education in Nigeria lack basic reading and numeracy skills.
Faced with this alarming observation, the Enugu State government has taken radical measures to reform the education system and prepare children to face future challenges. One of the flagship initiatives is the introduction of bio-digital technology in education. This innovative approach aims to close the skills gap by providing basic education students with technological tools and learning methods adapted to the demands of today’s world.
With this in mind, Governor Peter Mbah launched the smart school model in all 260 constituencies in the state. These schools are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as artificial intelligence and robotics centers, smart interactive boards, and many more. In addition, the school program places emphasis on experiential learning, problem solving and case studies. These new educational approaches will enable students to not only learn emerging technology skills, but also compete with their peers on a global scale.
In conclusion, there is an urgent need to take concrete steps to address the learning crisis in Africa. Basic education must be rethought and adapted to the realities of the modern world. Governments and education stakeholders must invest in the introduction of innovative learning techniques and teacher training. Only a solid education system will guarantee a promising future for young African generations.