98 million young Africans are out of school, but nine in ten ten-year-olds also cannot read with understanding. Learning, not attendance, must be the goal.
Around 98 million children and young people in sub-Saharan Africa are out of school, more than in any other region. But the deeper problem is inside the classroom: around nine in ten ten-year-olds cannot read and understand a simple text.
What we found
Africa has made great progress in getting children into school. It has made much less progress in making sure they learn. Large classes, too few books, little teacher training and lessons in a language children do not speak at home mean that years pass with little learning. At the same time, many countries now spend almost as much repaying debt as they spend on education.
Proof from Africa
- Ashesi University in Ghana, founded by Patrick Awuah, shows what happens when teaching focuses on ethics, critical thinking and solving real problems.
- Community reading circles, mentoring and apprenticeships reach young people that formal schools miss.
What can be done
- Measure learning, not only attendance.
- Teach early reading in a language children understand.
- Invest in teachers: training, materials, respect and fair pay.
- Value technical and vocational skills as highly as university degrees.
Take this with you
- The goal is not to be in school. It is to learn.
- The youngest continent on earth, taught well, becomes its greatest resource.