Investing in the youth of tomorrow starts with the children of today. Education is the ONLY pathway to optimizing the human capital that Africa needs.
The African Year of Education is not just about the year 2024 but about shaping the future from now until 2063 and beyond.
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The event concluded with a resounding call to action released jointly by Human Capital Africa (HCA) and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). It celebrated the leadership demonstrated by African countries thus far in addressing the learning crisis. It urged all Heads of Government at the African Union Summit to take decisive steps towards achieving foundational learning goals.
The call to action outlined key priorities, including acknowledging the urgency of the crisis, committing to all children reading with comprehension and doing basic mathematics by age 10, and developing accountability mechanisms. It emphasized the importance of regularly measuring learning outcomes, implementing cost-effective, evidence-based solutions, and holding development partners accountable for supporting proven interventions.
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The Executive Secretary of @ADEAnet , @NSENGIYUMVAAlbe, stressed: "We have all understood the challenge we face; we must now ensure that our concerns are shared as widely as possible and that Heads of State hear our message in the context of all the challenges facing the continent.
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Furthermore, the need for better use of data was emphasized by @obyezeks, CEO of HCA: "If there is a proper evidence-based approach, then the incremental cost of doing the right things at foundational levels will be negligible compared to the outcomes that it will achieve throughout the education system."
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Representatives of the ADEA/HCA Foundational Learning Ministerial Coalition echoed the call to ensure quality education for every child in Africa, as voiced by Hon. Min Madalitso Wirima, Minister of Education of Malawi: "We stand united in our mission to ensure that every boy and every girl can read and perform mathematics.
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Special guest of honor, the President @SahleWorkZewde of Ethiopia, affirmed the commitment to education:
"Heads of State have prioritized education through the declaration of 2024 as the African Year of Education."
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HCA emphasized the critical need to prioritize foundational learning ahead of the African Union Year of Education.
"Heads of State must understand that they have the power to reverse this decay," stressed HCA Advisory Board Member Trevor Manuel.
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"With nine out of ten African children unable to read with understanding and do basic math by age 10, urgency is paramount," stressed Erastus Mwencha, Human Capital Africa Advisor Board member.
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Over 150 individuals attended the HCA Roundtable in person, while over 120 unique users from 28 countries joined us online.
Participants from Nigeria, Japan, Canada, South Africa, and other countries joined us virtually as we discussed potential solutions for Africa's foundational learning challenges.
Together, we discussed the significance of strengthening the foundations of education to shape the future of the continent. We also explored ways to enhance learning outcomes on the African continent.
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HCA, in collaboration with @ADEAnet, @UNICEFAfrica, and @AlikoDangoteFdn, organized a crucial event in Addis Ababa on February 12–13, rallying African Heads of State, Education Ministers, and development partners, including African youth voices.
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[WATCH] Today on #PLWA: Bridging Africa's foundational learning gap. Obiagel Ezekwesili (@obyezeks), Founder and CEO @HumanCapAfrica, joins us to discuss more. Tune into #DSTV410 at 12h00 WAT.
Join the @HumanCapAfrica roundtable today as our Programme Director Utibe Henshaw speaks on
“Linking Early childhood education with Early Grade learning. Enhancing early learning through Structured Pedagogy and age and level-appropriate teaching methods”
https://t.co/KyMQyvCY0q
Interactive Discussion 3 was held yesterday and focused on empowering educators through technology. The session provided valuable insights into the African context of EdTech, and perspectives from CCHub, @UNICEFEducation, Inspiring Teachers, and The BEFIT Program. Santos Akhilele moderated the session, which was part of the HCA Summit for Action.
The discussion was a great opportunity to learn more about #EdTechAfrica and #TeacherEmpowerment.
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Interactive Discussion 2:
The interactive session exploring strategies for bridging early learning with structured pedagogy has wrapped up! Titled: Bridging Foundations: Enhancing Early Learning Through Structured Pedagogy and age and level appropriate teaching methods. Linking early childhood education with Early Grade learning.
Featuring case studies from Zimbabwe and Namibia and insights from Funda Wande, the TEP Centre, VVOB, and Addis Ababa University. Moderated by Wongani Grace Taulo from ESARO. #HCAsummit4action