NewGlobe:NigeriaMustInvestin FoundationalLiteracy,Numeracy,

16th November 2022

…Says there is need to explore innovative approaches to eradicate learning poverty

NewGlobe Nigeria has revealed for the federal government to invest in foundational literacy, numeracy and explore innovative approaches to eradicate poverty The group disclosed this at the 28th Nigerian Economic Summit(#NES28) which held on November 14-15

A statement made available to THISDAY said the Group Managing Director, NewGlobe, Omowale David-Ashiru, was a panelist on the interactive session tagged: “Eradicating Learning Deprivation” alongside UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate; Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs Maryam Uwais (MFR), Director Arc Lights Foundation, Ms Abisola Obasanya; and Executive Secretary Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi.

The statement said the session discussed solving Nigeria’s learning deprived children rate of 70 percent according to UNICEF

While speaking on the panel, Omowale noted that learning deprivation or learning poverty is a global problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in African countries such as Nigeria where the combination of out of school children, “and the poor rate of learning for those in school gravely threaten the potential of future economic growth and social development ”

Omowale further explained that to discuss potential solutions citing the June 2022 report by the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF FCDO which shed light on proven solutions, prescribing focus areas for progress, adding that the existence of solutions that can work at scale and within existing government systems to improve learning outcomes.

It also stated that commitment to learning programs by governments and the composition of the programmes: with emphasis on teacher training, improved instruction through structured pedagogy and measurement of learning outcomes

According to Omowale, “There are existing examples of a holistic methodology already delivering value for Nigerian children in Edo, Lagos and Kwara States”

“There are three distinct examples in Nigeria running statewide intricate public-school systems built upon four core aspects:

A digital learning platform, adaptive instructional content, teacher training and coaching, and 360-degree support.

Within this holistic system are many sets of practices, such as school management, learning and development, instructional guidance, and feedback Schools in this system are being transformed using technology and data, every school is transparent and accessible to its political leaders; decisions and policies are data based and children are learning at a speed not seen before in Nigeria.

This holistic learning methodology was the subject of a 2-year study led by 2019 Nobel Prize winning professor Michael Kremer

“The Kremer Study finds that NewGlobe methods deliver unequivocal major learning gains across every academic year in NewGlobe-supported schools, compared with other schools These are particularly large in the “key grades” for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), primary classes One and Two

Kremer and his co-authors found that students in early childhood years supported by NewGlobe received the equivalent of an additional year and a half of learning in two years.

“Political leaders across the continent are coming to learn from Nigeria’s systems and then implementing them in their own countries These examples are Edo State through the EdoBEST programme covering > 1000 nursery, primary and Junior Secondary schools, Lagos State through the EKOEXCEL programme covering >1000 Nursery and primary schools and most recently Kwara State through the KwaraLEARN program covering more than >1500 public schools at the full implementation of the programme

“Launched in 2018, the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme is Edo State Government’s statewide education transformation program under Governor Godwin Obaseki

It was launched in response to deficiencies identified in the basic education system in Edo State Transformation (EdoBEST) programme in Nigeria

A study of EdoBEST indicated that pupils achieved the equivalent of 54% more schooling in English and 71% more schooling in math, learning in one term than what would have normally been learnt in 1 year.

“On a visit to Edo in October 2022, Martin De Simon an education specialist cum economist with the World Bank had this to say about EdoBEST “Definitely, many other states can learn from the experience of Edo and I do think that some of the interventions of EdoBEST are definitely significant for the national level

“For example, you here have a strong focus on data and information systems and this is something that we are trying to support with the development of our Education Management Information System

“That is essential for any education system and for all 36 states at the national level. So, there are certain things that we should be replicating and essentially scaled up and there are certain things that other states that are in similar situations can learn a lot of lessons from ”

In her remarks, David-Ashiru shared Kremer study learnings indicating Nigeria must invest beyond infrastructure alone, but also into foundational literacy and numeracy at basic education levels to eradicate learning poverty in Nigeria

In his remarks, Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, commended participants and endorsed the outcomes of the summit which include the need for restoration, increased funding, standardization and innovation in public education as a means to delivering economic stability for growth.

He added that this outcome among others would be contained in the NES28 “Green Book” a compendium of summit recommendations which would be disseminated to Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as other critical stakeholders to enable the implementation

“The Eradicating Learning Deprivation session at the #NES28 has delivered examples of an actionable framework for transformational leadership in education for Nigeria

We have a sustainable and inclusive solution to learning poverty, a necessary imperative for transforming Nigeria’s human capital into national productive and innovative capacity that creates a secure collective future of prosperity for all and sustained economic development.

Nigeria must as a matter of priority articulate a framework to harness foundational literacy and numeracy for 2023 and beyond We have a chance to drive real change and deliver quality education for children in Nigeria ”

Continuing, the statement said: “NES #28 convened national and global policymakers, business leaders, development partners, civil society leaders and scholars to articulate the country’s development imperatives that satisfy the need for economic security and sustainability, social justice, conscientious governance, political stability and environmental sustainability #NES28 was attended by many Nigerian leaders including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; other ministers as well as members of the private sector.”