Stagnating educational attainment in low-income countries is deeply concerning (“Lower-income countries fall behind on educational goals”, Report, February 8). Even more so when reliable barometers of progress in numeracy and literacy may be scrapped.
This “learning crisis” matters to the whole world. Global economic advancement hinges on educational success in low-income countries. We know that one in three entrants to the global workforce will come from Africa within a decade.
Yet about 98mn children remain out of school across sub-Saharan Africa. Even as participation grows, children still face low primary education completion rates — 63 per cent, compared to a worldwide average of 87 per cent. There are not enough teachers or classrooms for a continent where 60 per cent of the population is under 25 years old.
International collaboration and investment will be critical, and directing those efforts at measurable, well-evidenced targets like teacher training.
When Rishi Sunak hosts 25 heads of state and government at the UK-African investment summit in April, he intends to strengthen UK-African partnerships to create jobs and growth. The most effective way to achieve this sustainably will be to prioritise education.
Peter Phillips
Chief Executive, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Cambridge, UK
