AT the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), world leaders are set to confront a deepening crisis in Africa’s education system: nine out of 10 African children are unable to read for meaning by the age of 10. This alarming statistic signals a growing learning emergency with profound implications for global health, economic development, and security.
As Africa’s population is expected to surge to 2.5 billion by 2050, representing a quarter of the world’s population, the continent’s education crisis threatens to undermine the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also risks intensifying global inequality unless urgent international action is taken.
Africa’s education crisis in focus at UNGA 79
The urgent need to address Africa’s education gap will be at the centre of several high-profile events at UNGA 79. Leaders from across Africa and the global community will gather to mobilise resources and political commitment to tackle the continent’s education challenges.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, warned of the long-term impact of inaction. ‘The learning crisis is a continental emergency. We must ensure that our educational systems are not just about access, but about quality and relevance to prepare our youth for the challenges of the 21st century,’ he stated.
Key events at UNGA 79 addressing Africa’s education crisis
Several important sessions have been organised to highlight Africa’s learning crisis and encourage collaborative solutions.
One such event, hosted by UNICEF on September 20, 2024, will unveil new data from the Foundational Learning Action Tracker (FLAT). The data provides a comprehensive overview of the global learning crisis, offering critical insights into how to combat the challenges facing African education.
A high-level summit titled Scaling Success: Partnerships and Innovation for Africa’s Future will follow on September 23, 2024. This summit will bring together prominent African leaders, including Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and former Malawian President Joyce Banda, alongside key global education organisations. The goal is to align international support with Africa’s development frameworks, setting a long-term roadmap for addressing the learning crisis.
Another significant event, Decade of Education – Africa’s Commitment to Change, hosted by the African Union on the same day, will focus on boosting education financing and strengthening political will to improve learning outcomes across the continent.
The dire state of foundational literacy in Africa
Africa’s educational shortfall is alarming. According to recent data, 43 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s 20-24-year-olds will not complete secondary education. This not only impairs individual potential but also threatens broader global efforts in areas like health, technology, and climate action.
The literacy crisis in Africa has far-reaching consequences for global development. As the world increasingly relies on knowledge-based economies, a generation of young people without basic literacy skills could widen the gap between developed and developing nations.
Collaborative solutions and local success stories
Despite these challenges, efforts to combat Africa’s education crisis are underway. Localised initiatives, such as Zambia’s Catch-Up programme and Kenya’s Tusome reading programme, are making strides in improving learning outcomes. These data-driven interventions, along with structured teaching methods like Teaching at the Right Level, are proving effective in increasing literacy and numeracy rates across the continent.
The Global Coalition on Foundational Learning, supported by over 20 African Ministers of Education and prominent leaders like President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, is working to ensure that Africa’s children receive the education they need to thrive. The coalition advocates for increased investment, better data collection, and more effective educational policies across the continent.
A global call to action
The discussions at UNGA 79 represent a crucial turning point in the global response to Africa’s learning crisis. World leaders are expected to renew their political commitments, support innovative solutions, and mobilise the resources needed to address the crisis head-on.
A central theme will be the need for unified, data-driven approaches that can inform policy decisions, improve educational outcomes, and standardise the tracking of foundational literacy initiatives across Africa.
As Africa stands at the crossroads of a population boom and an education crisis, the actions taken today will determine whether the continent can harness its demographic potential or fall deeper into socio-economic inequality. UNGA 79 offers a platform for the world to step up and support Africa’s future.
By tackling the learning crisis, global leaders can ensure that Africa’s youth are equipped to contribute to the continent’s development and, ultimately, global stability.
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