Lusaka, Zambia – April 3, 2025 – The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) has reaffirmed its full support to Zambia in its national campaign to end learning poverty. Speaking at the launch of the “End Learning Poverty” campaign, ADEA Executive Secretary Albert Nsengiyumva described the initiative as a bold and necessary step to ensure every Zambian child attains foundational literacy and numeracy by age 10.

Learning poverty – defined as the inability to read and understand a simple text by age 10 – affects 9 in 10 children in sub-Saharan Africa. Albert underscored the campaign’s significance, calling it “a commitment to fundamental change,” and stressed the need for a comprehensive approach including early childhood education, remedial support, and scaling proven interventions like Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL).

“This campaign is not simply a series of activities; it is a commitment to fundamental change,”

he said.

“It requires a multifaceted approach, from strengthening early childhood education to scaling effective interventions like Teaching at the Right Level.”

The campaign is part of a broader continental push led by the African Union and partners to eliminate learning poverty by 2035, following commitments made by education ministers at the 2024 Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX) in Kigali. Zambia is among the first countries to act, with strong leadership from its Minister of Education, Hon. Douglas Syakalima.

ADEA pledged to support the campaign through three core pillars: knowledge sharing with other countries, support for tracking and reporting learning outcomes, and technical assistance on data use for informed policy and implementation. Nsengiyumva also reiterated ADEA’s collaboration with Zambia’s Ministry of Education under the Education and Skills Data Project.

Zambia’s Catch Up program – based on the TaRL methodology – was highlighted as a model for the continent. Albert equally made a strong case for its expansion across the country, particularly targeting Grades 1 to 3, to provide early remedial support.

“This campaign must lead to tangible results. Let us act with urgency and purpose to end learning poverty in Zambia,” 

he said.

The launch marks a key milestone in Zambia’s education reform journey and reinforces the growing momentum across Africa to deliver foundational learning for all. Recall that the President of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema is the Champion of Foundational Learning in Africa, as nominated by ADEA.