The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, with support from UNICEF and the African Union has launched the End Learning Poverty for All in Africa campaign in Malawi, a continent-wide initiative aimed at addressing the foundational learning crisis affecting millions of children across Africa.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima said the event marks a significant milestone in the aspirations for Malawi’s 2030 and 2063 goals in improving the foundational learning in the country.
She said Malawi and all African states have agreed to hold this campaign to raise awareness on the problem that has befallen them as far as foundation learning is concerned, saying research has shown that in Africa, nine out of 10 ten-year-old children cannot read simple sentences with understanding or solve simple arithmetic problems.
“As African ministers, we are cognizant of the fact that the continent faces significant challenges in ensuring that all children acquire the foundational literacy and numeracy skills necessary for their educational and personal development,” the minister said.
According to Wirima, despite progress in increasing access to primary education, many students still struggle with basic reading, writing, and mathematical competencies, which serve as the building blocks for further learning and success.
The minister said, Addressing these gaps is crucial for unlocking the full potential of Africa’s children and youth and driving sustainable development across the region.
“Addressing these gaps is crucial for unlocking the full potential of Africa’s children and youth and driving sustainable development across the region.
“Therefore, this campaign is a wake-up call for all stakeholders—political leaders, policymakers, development partners, communities, teachers, traditional leaders, and learners themselves—to find lasting solutions on the issue of poor learning outcomes,” she said.
On his part, education commentator Limbani Nsapato hailed the campaign, saying it will go a long way in the advancement of basic education in order to have more learners who are able to read, write, and count. Yet update.
Under the motto “Can Read, Can Write, Can Count: Foundation4Life,” the campaign specifically aims to increase the number of children who can read, write, perform basic math, and use a computer at the age of 10.
To realize the goals of the End Learning Poverty campaign, UNICEF and the African Union are calling on the government to:
Invest more and better in quality education, focusing on foundational learning, as returns on investments in schooling are higher when focused on quality foundational learning.
Ensure that every child has access to quality, accountable teachers by providing them with the training, resources, and support needed to deliver quality education. This includes ongoing professional development, access to teaching materials, and a supportive work environment.
The campaign is an Africa-wide initiative aimed at mobilizing resources, expertise, and political will to address the learning crisis by strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy provision on the continent.
(By Alinafe Nyanda)
