Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)
Foundational Literacy refers to the ability to read and write in at least one language. It includes skills such as:
- Recognising and decoding letters and words.
- Understanding written texts and deriving meaning.
- Communicating thoughts and ideas effectively through writing.
Foundational Numeracy involves basic mathematical understanding and skills, including:
- Recognising and using numbers.
- Performing simple calculations and understanding their results.
- Applying mathematical reasoning to solve problems in daily life.
Importance of FLN in Sub-Saharan Africa
In Sub-Saharan Africa, FLN is particularly important due to the high rates of illiteracy and innumeracy. According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, an estimated 89% of children in low- and middle-income countries were unable to read with understanding by age 10, with the figure being even higher in Sub-Saharan Africa1. This highlights the urgent need for effective interventions.
Strategies for Improvement
To address the FLN challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, consider the following strategies:
- Data and Assessment: Support the development and testing of methods for measuring learning and promote ways to expand data collection.
- Policy and Advocacy: Spread awareness of the learning crisis and advocate for evidence-based solutions.
- Knowledge and Tools: Provide educators with the necessary resources and training to improve teaching methods.
- Evidence-Based Implementation: Focus on interventions that have been proven to work and can be scaled up to reach a larger population.
Resources and Partnerships
- We intend to collaborate with organisations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to improve FLN in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- We also will engage with research initiatives, such as those by NORRAG, to understand the landscape of FLN research and identify effective practices.
- UNICEF and governmental agencies responsible for regional policy dialogue and structured pedagogy resources are also on our radar.
Steps we are taking at Schoola
- Research: Dive into the current literature and studies on FLN in Sub-Saharan Africa to understand the challenges and successful interventions.
- Networking: Connect with experts, educators, and policymakers actively working on FLN in the region.
- Pilot Programs: Implement small-scale pilot programs to test different approaches and measure their impact on FLN skills like the ongoing intervention in partnership with USAID in the BAY — Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in Nigeria.
We are focusing on these areas to contribute significantly to improving FLN in Sub-Saharan Africa, and to achieve this mission, we have in mind that the journey to improve education is a collaborative effort that requires persistence, innovation, and a deep understanding of the local context.
