• 70% under 10 children can’t read simple sentence, report says

To tackle global learning gaps, Nigeria and other countries must boost their investments in education despite economic challenges.This formed part of the submission of a global consortium of experts in a new Futures Initiative report, which was convened by HP, in partnership with the Global Learning Council and T4 Education, to develop practical recommendations to close learning gaps, particularly as the world is on course to miss the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 to achieve universal quality education by 2030.
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According to T4 Education, the recommendation is rooted in extensive research, including a 2020 study from the Washington Centre for Equitable Growth, which found that every $1 spent on education leads to a $1.66 return in economic activity later on, with greater effect during a recession

The HP Futures initiative included inputs from education ministers, former heads of state, educators, and non-governmental organisations. It sought to address these challenges, and the inaugural report suggested actions that could improve access to a good education.

It called for a complete redesign of education systems, recommending the adoption of hybrid learning formats; a stronger focus on social and emotional skills; curriculum reforms to tackle the climate crisis; and modernised assessment methods to promote equal outcomes.

It also called for early interventions for disadvantaged communities, universal access to pre-kindergarten and ensuring girls’ transition to secondary education. National data collection systems for education are also deemed critical for cost-effective investment.

The report further highlighted the need for subsidies for EdTech tools to improve literacy and numeracy, as well as teacher training programmes to boost digital fluency in an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven education landscape.

The Chief Commercial Officer at HP and Chair of HP Futures, David McQuarrie, emphasised the importance of digital skills for the next generation in a rapidly changing world. He explained that the Futures initiative was aimed at providing impactful recommendations that would drive action towards more equitable and inclusive education.

Chief Executive Officer, T4 Education, Vikas Pota, underscored the need for nations to invest in education, calling it an investment in the future. He said: “It is an international scandal that two decades into the 21st century, 70 per cent of children worldwide cannot read and understand a simple text by the age of 10. Spending money isn’t easy when times are tough, but an investment in education is an investment in the future of your country and in the world. Skill your teachers and your children. I hope that this is a commitment all nations can make to the next generation.”
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