Oando Foundation, an independent charity established to support the Nigerian government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goal has reaffirmed its commitment to improving foundational literacy and numeracy in Nigeria with the launch of the Foundational Learning Improvement Programme (LEARNOVATE – FLIP).

This pioneering initiative, in collaboration with Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa, Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA)&Hilltrust Top Foundation, leverages evidence-based methods to address the learning crisis in Nigeria and build stronger educational outcomes for pupils across four states: Ebonyi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Adamawa.

Anchored on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, the LEARNOVATE – FLIP initiative integrates two methodologiestaking a targeted approach to enhance inclusive and equitable quality education: Early Grade Reading (EGR) co-implemented by QEDA and Hilltrust Top Foundation, focuses on foundational literacy for primary 1–3 pupils in Ebonyi, Plateau, and Sokoto States.

By employing mother tongue and English materials, the initiative ensures pupils build strong reading and comprehension skills.
Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) executedin partnership with TaRL Africa, provides remedial literacy and numeracy supportfor primary 4–6 pupils in Adamawa State, particularly those with interrupted schooling.

Speaking on the launch of LEARNOVATE-FLIP, Tonia Uduimoh, Head, Oando Foundation commented: “We are excited to introduce the Foundational Learning Improvement Programme as part of our LEARNOVATE strategy, in line with our ongoingcommitment to ensuring that every child, especially in underserved communities, has access to quality education.”

By incorporating evidence-based methodologies and focusing on lesson instructions and assessments in mother-tongue, we aim to address the existing learning gaps among young learners and create a deeper understanding of how to improve educational outcomes for Nigerian students.

“The impact of this pilot will not only inform future educational practices but will also support the achievement of the United Nations’ SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

“Ultimately, our goal is to empower children with the foundational skills they need to succeed, contributing to the sustainable growth and development of their communities and Nigeria as a whole.”

The programme also aims to empower education officers with the capacity to create more engaging and impactful classroom experiences, ultimately ensuring a more robust and long-lasting improvement in learning outcomes.

Also commenting on the initiative, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ebonyi State, Mrs. Patience Ogodo, commended Oando Foundation’s efforts, noting: “We commend Oando Foundation for its unwavering commitment to transforming education in Nigeria. The LEARNOVATE-FLIP initiative represents a strategic and impactful response to the pressing challenges of foundational literacy and numeracy, particularly for children in underserved communities.

“By integrating evidence-based methodologies and prioritizing inclusive approaches such as mother-tongue assessments, this programme not only improves learning outcomes but also empowers students to realize their full potential.”

The LEARNOVATE – FLIP has commenced and will run concurrently in target states throughoutthe 2024/2025 academic year.