UNICEF and Department of Basic Education launch 'Early Grade Reading Programme'

Last week at the Pan African Conference on Teacher Education #PACTED2025, we shared insights on effective implementation of Gender-Responsive Pedagogy (GRP) and the role of school leadership in promoting inclusive classrooms 📌. Drawing from the evidence review on Teacher Professional Development for Gender-Responsive Pedagogy in Sub-Saharan Africa, presented by our colleague Everlyne Nyongesa, we emphasised that teachers’ professional wellbeing matters, but that GRP is most effective when also embedded in school culture, curriculum, classroom practices and community engagement. One promising finding suggested that teachers with strong understanding of gender-responsive pedagogy can still implement inclusive teaching practices despite educational systems and curricula that contain gender biases. Want to learn more about this? Explore the full report https://lnkd.in/dqMJXSpd to discover how effective implementation of gender-responsive pedagogy not only improves learning outcomes for all learners but also promotes #GenderEquity, #Equality and overall social transformation. #SDG4QualityEducationForAll #SDG5GenderEquality #SupportingEducators #RTIA #InspiringFutures #TeacherProfessionalDevelopment #GlobalGateway #TeamEurope #PartnersOfChange #TheAfricaWeWant #DecadeOfEducation VVOB | VVOB in South Africa | Expertise France | Opetushallitus | Utbildningsstyrelsen | Finnish National Agency for Education | Enabel | APEFE | European Union | European Commission | African Union | FAWE RS | FAWE Africa | Ministry Of Education, Kenya (MOE)

2025 Ethiopian High School Exam Results: A National Wake-Up Call In a staggering revelation, Ethiopia’s 2025 Grade 12 national exam results have exposed a deep fracture in the country’s education system. A country wide, only 8.4% secured the required university admission threshold. This very low pass rate sends shockwaves across the nation and alarming an urgent reform. The sector community have raised concerns about some mismatching delimma between the learning class and the exam classes, especially in under-resourced schools. The rigid, test-centric model fails to account for contextual learning, local languages, and practical knowledge. Without curriculum reform, the exam risks are becoming a tool of exclusion rather than empowerment. To their advocacy, we add these remedial focus points; _ Equitable resource distribution across urban and rural schools (Currently, Same exam but different facility & learning styles) - Curriculum reform that otherwise reflects local realities and diverse learning styles - Community-led solutions that empower students, parents, and teachers.

In Pakistan, there are 29 education boards and 273 curriculum patterns, yet there is no harmony among them. Instead of making excuses, there should be one standard. Students may be prepared up to the intermediate level, but when they apply for admission internationally, many of them struggle to perform well, and sometimes they cannot even achieve a passing grade. The real issue is not the syllabus but the mindset of the policymakers. This is why a “One Nation, One Curriculum” system is necessary, so that all students can move forward on the same standard. Another major problem is the high fees of private schools, which most parents cannot afford. Therefore, government schools should be promoted, and a proper check and balance must be placed on the fee structure of private institutions. Most importantly, the curriculum should be the same for both public and private schools, ensuring equal educational opportunities for all children. As a nation, we must take serious and united steps for the better future of education in Pakistan

This week is National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. It's the perfect time to spotlight a partnership that's making real impact. We work with community colleges nationwide through English Advance to bring English training directly to worksites. We're reaching workers who might never step foot in a traditional classroom. Take our partnership with the San Diego College of Continuing Education. Leaders like Dr. Tina King and Corine Doughty aren't just educators - they're champions for immigrant and refugee workers across industries. The results speak volumes: → 86% show measurable language gains → 97% feel more confident using English at work → 99% improved their industry vocabulary → 94% better understand safety guidelines → 96% gained digital skills and tech confidence #AEFLWeek

📖 Grade 9 Learners at a Critical Crossroads: Literacy Matters October marks a pivotal moment for Grade 9 learners 🎓. The subjects they choose now can define their future opportunities. Yet, South Africa faces a literacy crisis: 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning 📊 (PIRLS 2021). Without a strong foundation, academic success becomes uncertain. 🤝 Collaboration is Key: Tutors, parents, and schools must unite to provide strategic guidance. Evidence-based support must outweigh populist or political pressures ⚠️. ⚽ Our Vision – Premier League of Pedagogy: 🏅 Recognize tutors and teachers for excellence in mentorship 📈 Hold schools and principals accountable with KPIs and measurable outcomes 🤝 Co-create pathways to success with parents, tutors, and learners 💡 Call to Action: Every learner deserves foundational literacy skills. By fostering collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, we can bridge the literacy gap and empower learners to achieve their full potential 🌍. #EducationLeadership #LiteracyMatters #PedagogyExcellence #GreatThinkersAcademy #LearnerSuccess #AccountabilityInEducation #PremierLeagueOfPedagogy

As we celebrate this month the International Day of Literacy, we are extremely happy to announce our partnership once again with Development Action Witout Border – Nabaa on our EQIE 2 project (Enhancing Quality and Inclusive Education). The Enhancing Quality and Inclusive Education (EQIE 2.0) project supports Palestinian children in grades 1-4 living in Palestinian camps and gatherings in Lebanon by enhancing their literacy and social-emotional skills. Through Naba’a’s centers, children engage in play-based learning that makes reading fun, meaningful, and motivating. By investing in teachers and creating safe, engaging classrooms, EQIE not only helps children learn to read but also enhances their confidence, motivation, and love for learning, paving brighter paths for their future. #literacy #powerofreading #powerofplay

As part of the Network for Open Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (NOTES) project of the Commonwealth of Learning, we held a fruitful workshop on open education resources (OER) and practices (OEP) at the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning in Gaborone, Botswana. Different countries shared their work on developing OER and OEP to expand equitable access to quality education while reducing costs. This video shares an example of how the co-development of an OER can be approached, and also how it can empower teachers and students. The OER can be accessed here https://lnkd.in/dMNuHCsH Also, the publication explaining the co-development process can be accessed here: Van den Berg, G., Mudau, P. K., Maphosa, C., Amponsah, S., Manditereza, B., van der Merwe, J., & Mongwe, S. (2023). Critical Reflection by Mature Students as Co-Developers of an Open Educational Resource in Foregrounding Their Learning. Journal of Learning for Development, 10(3): 316–332. https://lnkd.in/dUCgWVFt #pcf11bw #https://lnkd.in/dYApW8gq

🇺🇿🇬🇧 Professors from Pedagogical Universities will undertake Professional Development course at Cambridge University 🇺🇿 In accordance with Decree No. 73 signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on April 28, 2025, aimed at improving the pedagogical education system and enhancing the quality of teacher education, faculty members from Uzbekistan National Pedagogical University and 12 other pedagogical higher education institutions will participate in an intensive professional development program organized in cooperation with Cambridge University Press & Assessment from October 12 to 24. ✅ The initiative focuses on advancing the professional skills of educators in modern teaching methodologies, assessment standards, recent educational developments, and international best practices. This will support the introduction of innovative approaches in teaching and learning, and improve the teaching quality. ✅ Throughout the program, participants will engage in various academic sessions at the university’s Faculty of Education and visit local schools to observe classroom practices firsthand. National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan Ministry of preschool and school education of Uzbekistan #cooperation #professional_development #npuu #education #Transformation

🌍 Today's World Teachers’ Day! Teachers are at the heart of the learning process. Yet the world still faces a major challenge: UNESCO estimates that 44 million teachers are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030, with 15 million required in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Our 3rd Strategic Debate on 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 highlighted insights on innovative policies and practices. We explored ways to: ✔️ Close the teacher gap ✔️ Strengthen professional development ✔️ Ensure equitable access to quality teaching ▶️𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://bit.ly/4pRuJiZ

DYNAMICS OF MIDDLE TIER SUPPORT IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM: contextual and institutional influences. Suggested citation: de Kock, T., Paterson, A., Shishenge, N., Godwin, K., Cameron, C. 2025. Dynamics of middle tier support in the South African education system: Contextual and institutional influences. Waltham, MA: The Learning Generation Initiative at Education Development Center. Support provided by the middle tier: Teaching & learning Develop targeted support materials and related training to bridge the gap between Foundation and Intermediate Phases, to allow for learners to transition smoothly and improve learning continuity with limited adjustment challenges. (Source: Internet) https://lnkd.in/dsgKZUWX