Over 90% of 10-Year-Olds in Africa Struggle with Reading and Math – AU

Prof. Saidou Madougou, Director of the African Union’s Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, revealed that over 90% of 10-year-olds in Africa struggle with reading simple texts and performing basic mathematical tasks.

 Despite increasing access to education, this situation remains a primary concern for the continent.

Madougou made this statement on Wednesday during the launch of the End-Learning-Poverty for All in Africa (ELPAF) campaign in Lusaka, Zambia.

The “Read, Write, Count: Foundation4Life” campaign aims to ensure that more African children can read, write, and perform basic math by the age of 10.

Its long-term goal is to provide every African child with quality foundational literacy and numeracy skills by 2035.

The ELPAF campaign was established by the African Union in partnership with UNICEF following the September 2024 conference on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.

It seeks to address the educational crisis by mobilising resources, expertise, and political support to enhance African foundational learning.

Madougou stated the broader implications of this educational deficit, explaining that inadequate early education impacts academic outcomes and hinders children’s development as productive members of society.

He added that foundational education is critical for breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring that children grow into active citizens.

Dr. Nejmudin Bilal, UNICEF Zambia’s Deputy Representative, praised the timing of the campaign, noting its alignment with the global focus on the importance of early learning.

Zambia’s Minister of Education, Mr Douglas Syakalima, representing President Hakainde Hichilema, announced that Zambia is the first country to launch the continental initiative. He called for immediate action from political leaders, policymakers, development partners, and communities to address learning poverty in African children.

The campaign aims to spotlight the literacy gaps and drive actions to ensure every child acquires literacy, numeracy, and essential social and emotional skills.