New York, USA//- In a stark wake-up call to the international community, world leaders gathering at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will confront a silent crisis threatening global stability: nine out of 10 African children are unable to read for meaning by age 10 in Africa.
This alarming statistic underscores a learning emergency with far-reaching implications for global health, technology, trade, climate action, and security.
As Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 (25% of the global population), the continent’s education crisis poses a critical challenge to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and threatens to exacerbate global inequalities. In response, a series of high-profile events at UNGA 79 will mobilize international action.
“The learning crisis is a continental emergency,” warns H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. “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.”
Key events on the learning crisis at UNGA 79:
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UNICEF Data Reveal: “Building Foundations for a Sustainable Future”
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When: September 20, 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 pm (EDT)
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Where: UNICEF House, New York (in-person and online)
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Who: UNICEF, Hempel Foundation, Global Coalition for Foundational Learning, and Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)
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UNICEF and the Hempel Foundation will unveil groundbreaking data from the Foundational Learning Action Tracker (FLAT), providing the most comprehensive picture yet of the global learning crisis.
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High-Level Summit: “Scaling Success: Partnerships and Innovation for Africa’s Future”
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When: September 23, 2024, 8:30 – 11:00 am EDT
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Where: Hyatt Thompson Central Park, New York
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Who: H.E. Mr. Hakainde Hichilema President of Zambia and FL Champion, H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda Former President, Republic of Malawi, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili Founder, HCA, African Union Education Program, Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), Flemish Association for Development Cooperation (VVOB), UNICEF, Hempel Foundation, Teaching at the Right Level Africa, and Human Capital Africa (HCA), H.E. Prof. Mohammed Belhocine Commissioner, AU-ESTI, Ministers of Education Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Ghana
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African leaders, including President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and former President of Malawi, H.E Joyce Banda, will join global partners to encourage member states to align with continental goals and frameworks and urge for a longer-term roadmap for implementing commitments, including setting strategic milestones for action beyond 2024.
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African Union Flagship Event: “Decade of Education – Africa’s Commitment to Change”
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When: September 23, 2024, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (EDT)
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Where: Permanent Observer Mission of African Union, New York
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Who: African Union Education Program, in cooperation with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Human Capital Africa (HCA), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili Founder, HCA, Benjamin Piper, Director, Global Education at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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Marking the midpoint of the AU Year of Education 2024, this event will focus on enhancing education financing, showcasing successful models, and reaffirming the political commitment needed to ensure inclusive, lifelong learning across the continent.
The State of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) in Africa
Africa is facing a learning crisis that has far-reaching implications for the continent and the world. Currently, 9 out of 10 African children are unable to read for meaning by the age of 10, threatening not only Africa’s future but global progress in health, technology, trade, food security, climate, and security.
The current trajectory indicates that a staggering 43% of 20-24-year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa will not complete secondary education. Without swift, coordinated action, the continent’s capacity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will stagnate and lead to a further deepening of global instability and socioeconomic inequality.
Collaborative solutions are currently underway
A growing coalition of African leaders, development partners, and the private sector is rising to meet this challenge. Spearheaded by figures like President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, and supported by over 20 African Ministers of Education, the Global Coalition on Foundational Learning is taking action to ensure children across Africa have access to quality education.
Innovative, data-driven approaches are emerging, such as Zambia’s “Catch-Up” program and Kenya’s “Tusome” initiative. These localised interventions, alongside structured pedagogy and Teaching at the Right Level methods, are proving effective in improving learning outcomes with existing resources. Data collection and analysis are key to driving these efforts, providing critical insights to guide education policy and resource allocation.
A call to action
The events at UNGA 79 represent a critical juncture in the global response to this crisis. They will serve as a platform to reaffirm political commitments, showcase innovative solutions, and mobilize the resources needed to ensure quality education for Africa’s children.
These events will emphasize the need for:
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Unified, data-driven approaches to tackle the crisis,
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Strengthened capabilities to gather and analyze data for informed policy decisions,
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Standardized definition and tracking of FLN initiatives, within Africa,
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Increased momentum and collective action beyond 2024 in tackling the learning crisis.