Human Capital Africa

Human Capital Africa is a new accountability and advocacy organization that uses evidence to mobilize governments to take actions that improve foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) outcomes for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. #africa #education #sdg4 #humancapital

Today, at the EAC Regional Education Conference, the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) will deliver insights into Early Childhood Development (ECD). ECD is more than just education—it's the cornerstone of a child's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth from birth to age eight. While progress is being made, we face significant challenges: A shortage of over 1.2 million trained teachers Only 37% of learners proficient in basic mathematics Limited resources and socio-economic inequalities But these challenges are not insurmountable. Tools like Teaching at the Right Level are already making a difference. Stay tuned for more insights. What innovative solutions have you seen in ECD, and how can we scale these across the continent?  #AUYearofEducation #EACEducationConference #EACREC2024 #DataForFoundationalLearning

Our colleagues at PAL Network recently launched Phase 2 of the #DataForFoundationalLearning campaign🚀, which aims to safeguard and amplify #SDG 4.1.1a. Their CEO, Armando Ali, will provide a keynote address at the plenary session, titled ‘Engaging Participants in the Development and Potential of the Early Language & Literacy & Numeracy Assessment’. Stay tuned to learn more about how cost-effective and scalable interventions shape education in East Africa. Want to know how you can participate in the @palnetworkHQ campaign? Sign Our Petitions: Show your support for foundational learning data. Head over to @palnetworkHQ and share, using #EducationForAll and #DataForFoundationalLearning to amplify our message. Let’s ensure every child gets the education they deserve! https://lnkd.in/ebjqs8hc #AUYearofEducation #EACEducationConference #EACREC2024

Let’s Secure the Future of Education! We’re launching Phase 2 of the SDG 4.1.1a Campaign, and we need your help to keep crucial data on foundational learning! Why It Matters: We need accurate data to fix educational disparities, and SDG 4.1.1a is at risk. Your support can help keep it top priority! How to Get Involved 1. Sign our petitions to retain SDG 4.1.1a. 2. Share with your connections. Let’s act now: https://lnkd.in/ebjqs8hc #DataForFoundationalLearning #EducationForAll

Last week, we were in the State House in Zambia to interface with His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia and Champion of Foundational Learning in Africa. We bring you interesting sound-bites from that engagement.

The learning crisis is not just an education issue; it is a development emergency threatening the very foundation of our continent’s progress. Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili emphasized the urgent need for political leaders to champion foundational learning at the Human Capital Africa Presidential Briefing on prioritizing foundational learning in Africa. "In the African Union year of education, what we urgently need now is for you - our esteemed political leaders - to become champions of foundational learning," she said. Your voices, influence, and actions are crucial in turning the tide on this learning crisis and changing the story of our children. Foundational learning is the building block and bedrock of education. Without it, development goals remain unattainable. Dr. Ezekwesili highlighted that much of our dreams by 2063 won't be fulfilled if foundational learning continues to be neglected. "If you have not accepted that you have an issue, then you cannot solve it. How can 9 out of 10 children not have minimum proficiency?" she questioned. Dr. Ezekwesili proposed that every President must become a Chief Learning Officer, prioritizing foundational learning. Let us join hands in this mission to prioritize education and secure our children's future and continent. Agenda 2063 will remain an agenda until foundational learning becomes the prioritized agenda.

The Human Capital Africa Presidential briefing provided us with a lot of valuable insights to take away. Former African leaders issued an urgent call to action at the landmark gathering, emphasizing the need to prioritize foundational learning. They have now called for not just a year of education but decades and a lifetime of education. Will we let the children of Africa down by neglecting this critical issue?

"Education is a matter of life and death." At the Human Capital Africa (HCA) Presidential Press Briefing on prioritizing foundational learning, hosted by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo Akufo-Addo of Ghana, former President Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized the indispensable role of education in Africa's development. "Development without education is not development… For me, education is a matter of life and death… without it, you are not what God made you to be," he stated passionately. Highlighting the necessity for lifelong learning, he remarked, "You emphasized the decade of education; I emphasize a life of education—it is from the cradle to the grave." Expressing confidence in President Akufo-Addo's commitment, Obasanjo said, "I am delighted you said when the AU Mid-Year coordination meetings take place, we will hear your voice." He also stressed the importance of accountability in education, asserting, "Mr. President, we need a peer review system for education; we need to take education as it should be taken." Obasanjo's remarks underscore the critical need for quality foundational learning to drive Africa's progress and ensure that every child reaches their full potential.

At the Human Capital Africa (HCA) Presidential Press Briefing on prioritizing foundational learning, hosted by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo Akufo-Addo of Ghana, he stressed Africa's existential crisis in education. "We are being asked what to do at the continental level regarding foundational learning. Recognition needs to be made that we are in a learning crisis," he stated. Emphasizing the severity of the situation, he remarked that poor education at the foundational level could signal the end of us as a civilization. "We won’t be able to work on development issues unless we work on foundational learning," he asserted. President Akufo-Addo underscored the necessity of establishing accountability measures and peer review methods at the continental level to begin tackling this issue. He highlighted the significant portion of the budget dedicated to education and remarked, "That investment is the surest way for progress." He also emphasized, "Don't talk about a year of education but a decade for education. I will use this message and take this statement to the AU Mid-Year Summit," promising to take the conversation to the core of the African Union Expressing hope, he said, "I am happy that the meeting is in Accra… I hope that what emerges from here will have a wider reach to Africa so they can take action." This collective commitment is crucial to a brighter future for Africa's youth. Let us support this initiative and drive meaningful change in our education systems.

At the Human Capital Africa (HCA) Presidential Press Briefing on prioritizing foundational learning, hosted by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo Akufo-Addo of Ghana, he stressed Africa's existential crisis in education. "We are being asked what to do at the continental level regarding foundational learning. Recognition needs to be made that we are in a learning crisis," he stated. Emphasizing the severity of the situation, he remarked that poor education at the foundational level could signal the end of us as a civilization. "We won’t be able to work on development issues unless we work on foundational learning," he asserted. President Akufo-Addo underscored the necessity of establishing accountability measures and peer review methods at the continental level to begin tackling this issue. He highlighted the significant portion of the budget dedicated to education and remarked, "That investment is the surest way for progress." He also emphasized, "Don't talk about a year of education but a decade for education. I will use this message and take this statement to the AU Mid-Year Summit," promising to take the conversation to the core of the African Union Expressing hope, he said, "I am happy that the meeting is in Accra… I hope that what emerges from here will have a wider reach to Africa so they can take action." This collective commitment is crucial to a brighter future for Africa's youth. Let us support this initiative and drive meaningful change in our education systems.