The ultimate teacher wish list - #BorntoLearn 2024 Day of the African Child

Coinciding with the DOAC and the mid-point in 2024 AU Year of Education, this #BorntoLearn event aims to put support for teachers at the top of the continental agenda.

• Date: 14 June 2024
• Time: 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm CEST
• Type: Virtual

Click here to register.

One in five primary school-age children in sub-Saharan Africa are out of school; their number is nearly as high as it was in 1990. Only two in three children in the region complete primary school by age 15. Among those who do, only 3 in 10 achieve the minimum proficiency level in reading, meaning that barely one in five children do so overall. 

Highlighting the need for alignment across countries’ vision on foundational literacy and numeracy with curriculum development, textbook provision, pedagogy and assessment practices, the 2024 Spotlight Report underscores the importance of teachers to bring the change we design on paper to children in the classroom. It shows the need for better teacher support, who have a wish list of ‘if only I had more…’ that goes unanswered by leaders still expecting to see change in learning on the ground. This campaign will help clear the list! 

Timed to coincide with the Day of the African Child and marking the mid-point in 2024 AU Year of Education, this online #BorntoLearn event aims to put support for teachers at the top of the continental agenda and highlight the importance of foundational learning to enable all children to reach their full potential and participate in society.

The event aims to: 

1. Highlight the importance of ensuring every child has access to foundational learning across Africa 
2. Spark a conversation on the way that leaders and stakeholders can better support teachers to teach national curriculum in the classroom and overcome existing challenges
3. Provide a platform for teachers and youth representatives to share knowledge and experience in advocating for promoting foundational numeracy, address challenges and celebrate successes
4. Highlight the Spotlight Report and its recommendations on children’s numeracy as a key tool for governments across the continent working to improve foundational learning

Featured speakers: 

• Alice Mukashyaka, Youth representative, African Union
• Dennis Sinyolo, Director, Education International's Africa Regional Office
• Lindiwe Tshuma, Faculty of Humanities Teaching and Learning Unit, University of Witwatersand, Johannesburg 
• Gamusi Tom, Teacher, Uganda
• Lyson Chikunduzi, VVOB Zambia
• Primary Teacher, South Africa 
• Josephine Kiyenje, Spotlight Report Lead, GEM Report, UNESCO 

Resources

• Learning Counts - 2024 Spotlight Report
• Learning Wish List - #BorntoLearn campaign