EdoBEST tipped as solution to learning poverty in Nigeria

Education experts at the 28th Nigerian Economic Summit have tipped the EdoBEST method as capable of tackling learning poverty and deprivation among children across Nigeria.

This comes as the country continues to grapple with myriad of challenges bedevilling the basic education sector, leading to poor learning outcomes among pupils and low school enrolment.

In August 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted that no fewer than 70 per cent of children in Nigerian schools are suffering from learning poverty (a situation where 10-year-olds cannot read or understand a simple text) while the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) put the number of out-of-school children in the country at 20 million in October 2022.

Speaking at a panel session with the title, “Eradicating Learning Deprivation,” at #NES28, Group Managing Director of NewGlobe, Mrs. Omowale David-Ashiru, noted that learning deprivation or learning poverty is a global problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in African countries like Nigeria, where the combination of out-of-school children and the poor rate of learning for those in school gravely threatens the potential of future economic growth and social development.

David-Ashiru, however, noted: “There are existing examples of a holistic methodology already delivering value for Nigerian children in Edo, Lagos and Kwara states.”

EdoBEST has been implemented in 1,330 schools across Edo State. It has transformed the way over 350,000 pupils learn in the state.

Since inception, the programme has overhauled Teacher Professional Development (TPD) and reoriented teachers on better pupil and classroom management methods that have delivered measurable results.

Additionally, EdoBEST has seen the introduction of a whole new curriculum, which is in line with the approved national curriculum, while adopting technology in all aspects of basic education service delivery and management.

School heads and the management of Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (Edo SUBEB) now use modern technology to collect and collate information for the management of pupils, teachers and schools.

Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, who was also on the panel, noted that as a tradition, education should be a major issue during periods of politicking and campaigning.

He noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki used the education reform in Edo State to his advantage.

Other speakers on the panel were UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate; Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, and Director, Arc Lights Foundation, Ms. Abisola Obasanya.