How improved investments will help elevate education in Africa

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) replenishment conference kicked off today with a mission to raise $5 billion in commitments for domestic financing from developing countries, aiming to halt the education crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dorine Nininahazwe, the Director for AU and East Africa at ONE, shared insights with CNBC Africa, highlighting the urgency and challenges in meeting this financial target. She expressed concerns that the expected $5 billion might not be fully achieved, estimating that the pledges may fall slightly short, with hopes of reaching around $4 billion. The ongoing learning crisis, triggered by the pandemic-induced education budget cuts in many nations, has resulted in approximately 1.6 billion children being out of school, emphasizing the critical need for collective action to combat this global issue. Nininahazwe underscored the significance of developing countries committing to allocate 20% of their domestic budget to education, with notable efforts from African leaders like President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria leading by example. Kenya has been actively advocating for others to prioritize education in their funds allocation. Notably, President Buhari's commitment to a 50% increase in Nigeria's education budget for the upcoming two years sets a positive precedent for other nations to follow suit. The 'Lost Potential Tracker,' a monitoring tool highlighted by Nininahazwe, paints a grim picture of the current state of basic literacy skills among African children. Shockingly, statistics show that about 87% of children in regions such as South China are unable to read and comprehend a simple story by the age of 10, signaling the urgency to boost investments in education. The tracker serves as a stark reminder of the dire need to nurture the next generation of professionals crucial for economic growth and sustainability. Furthermore, Nininahazwe acknowledged the challenges posed in regions like northern Nigeria, where escalating security threats have led to the closure of schools, undermining efforts to ensure quality education. She stressed the importance of a holistic approach, advocating for investments not just in education but also in bolstering security measures to create a safe learning environment for children in conflict-prone areas. Addressing security concerns is vital for enabling uninterrupted access to education. Looking ahead to the next five years, Nininahazwe expressed her hopes for effective utilization of the funds raised during the conference, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparent monitoring mechanisms to track the impact of the investments. She envisioned significant progress in education across various countries within the stipulated timeline, underscoring that education serves as a key driver for societal prosperity and development.