Building from the Bottom: Addressing the Foundational Learning Challenge during Africa’s Year of Education and beyond

In its roadmap for the Year of Education, the African Union has set out 10 strategic outcome areas. The second strategic area focuses on improving foundational learning and STEM in Africa, with emphasis on investments in STEM education and foundational literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills through the integration of technology and co-curricular activities.

Action areas include policy-level advocacy for renewed focus, development of relevant tools, and use of appropriate pedagogical approaches to improve STEM education, teaching standards, teaching methods, and ending learning poverty.

In this month’s episode of the Africa Learning Together podcast, ADEA’s Senior Programs Officer, Shem Bodo, and the Senior Foundational Learning Expert, Dr. Jacqueline Folotiya explored opportunities to make foundational learning the centre of engagements in the Year of Education. We looked at opportunities that can be leveraged to grow the salience of foundational learning and the prospects beyond 2024.