Hannat Ibrahim Annan’s Post

Empowering Education for All: #Inclusive #Education Policy Ushers in New Era of #Equal Opportunities Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with a group of civil society organizations known as the Inclusive Education Cluster, has developed a new Inclusive Education Policy (2024–2028) as part of Nigeria's commitment to providing quality education for all. With capacity strengthening support in advocacy from the #USAID-funded Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (#SCALE) project, the cluster successfully applied skills in advocating for and contributing to the policy’s development. The approved policy paves way for transformative educational practices that accommodates every student, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, gender, or social status, at all levels of education. It also anticipates increased funding to improve existing educational institutions to be more inclusive in their admission of all students without discrimination. If adopted collectively by every state in Nigeria, students across the country can expect an educational system with established inclusive practices.

Having consulted for both private and public education systems, I have observed a critical issue in education across Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Education is constitutionally free and compulsory at the Universal Basic Education (UBE) level, with some states extending free education schemes to higher levels. For instance, Imo State, Nigeria, once offered free education up to undergraduate level, showcasing ambitious government initiatives. However, challenges persist, especially in ensuring inclusive education. Disparities among economic classes and genders hinder access, leading to a significant number of out-of-school children in rural and urban areas. According to one UNICEF report about 10.5 million of Nigerian children aged 5-14 years are not in school. It is imperative for governments to formulate strategic policies to enhance educational inclusivity and enroll more children in schools. #Education #Inclusivity #Africa #Nigeria #GovernmentInitiatives

Happy Africa Day! 🌍 Did you know this year's celebration theme is "Educate an African Fit For the 21st Century"? This theme revolves around shaping the future of education in Africa. I believe that shaping our educational future as a continent begins with making conscious efforts to ensure educational services are accessible to all, especially the girl child. Having the right infrastructures and resources readily available to support this is crucial. Additionally, integrating technology into our education systems can bridge the gap between traditional learning and the demands of the modern world, preparing our students for the global stage. In Ghana, several educational reforms are paving the way for a brighter future: 1. Free SHS (Senior High School): Ensuring every child can receive a secondary education without financial barriers. 2. Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP): Focused on improving the quality of education in low-performing basic education schools and strengthening education sector equity and accountability in Ghana. 3. Ghana Education Reforms: Comprehensive changes aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of education. 4. GETFund (Ghana Education Trust Fund): Providing funding to improve infrastructure, facilities, and resources in educational institutions nationwide. Education is a powerful driver of socio-economic development. It creates opportunities, reduces inequalities, and empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities. By investing in education, we are investing in the future of Africa, fostering a generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Let's celebrate Africa Day by committing to an educational transformation that equips every African for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Together, we can create a brighter future for our continent. #AfricaDay #YearofEducation #SocioEconomicDevelopment #Innovation #AfricaForward #BADSM

The issue of accessing quality education in Ghana has become a prominent topic in recent times. In the Northern Region, there's a school where students face a variety of challenges, one of the most pressing being that they are left with no option but to study in a structure that is near collapse. SDG Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all and it is the right of every child to benefit from this. There have been numerous reports, especially from the Northern Region, about poor infrastructure in schools. The Ghana Education Service and Northern Regional Education Directorate need to turn their attention to these schools and provide the necessary assistance. United Nations #education #ghanaeducationservice #sdg

Reimagining Africa's Education System for Our Children Africa's education system holds immense potential, yet it faces challenges that directly impact children’s growth and development. From inadequate infrastructure and outdated curricula to a lack of access to quality education in rural areas, many African children are left behind. Education should be a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier. To secure the future of our continent, we must: Invest in teacher training and improved facilities. Incorporate modern technology into classrooms. Advocate for equal access to quality education for all children, regardless of location or background. When we prioritize education, we empower our children to become innovators, leaders, and changemakers. Let’s commit to building an Africa where every child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. Post: Reimagining Africa's Education System for Our Children Africa's education system holds immense potential, yet it faces challenges that directly impact children’s growth and development. From inadequate infrastructure and outdated curricula to a lack of access to quality education in rural areas, many African children are left behind. Education should be a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier. To secure the future of our continent, we must: Invest in teacher training and improved facilities. Incorporate modern technology into classrooms. Advocate for equal access to quality education for all children, regardless of location or background. When we prioritize education, we empower our children to become innovators, leaders, and changemakers. Let’s commit to building an Africa where every child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. #EducationForAll #AfricaRising #ChildhoodEducation #FutureLeaders #EqualOpportunities #InnovationInEducation #SupportAfricanChildren Would you like to add a specific example of progress or a call to action? #EducationForAll #AfricaRising #ChildhoodEducation #FutureLeaders #EqualOpportunities #InnovationInEducation #SupportAfricanChildren

Education is vital as it empowers individuals with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking needed to navigate life and contribute to the development of society. Education also opens doors to opportunities, reduces inequality, and promotes personal and economic growth. Ultimately, education shapes informed, capable, and responsible citizens. Thats why, Oxfam in Ghana through the Danida SP 2 project, is working with YEFL-Ghana and other partners to promote an inclusive and equitable education through national development. https://lnkd.in/dPAXyRDs Friends of the Nation Norsaac PPAG (Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana) Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA) Oxfam in Africa Oxfam Novib Wumbei Dokurugu

Africa's response to the education crisis demands a coordinated effort by development partners in support of country efforts. At Ministerial breakfast at the 2024 Education World Forum in London, African Ministers highlighted the critical need for development partners to coordinate, stop cherry picking and develop and implement single unified Foundational Learning programs that bring literacy and numeracy together.  Ministers also highlighted that supporting countries' to-scale programs can’t be achieved without rigorous and pedagogically sound Technical Assistance, implementation evidence, and strong partnerships. African leaders, development partners, implementers, and all stakeholders must come together. Imagine development partners working as one, delivering comprehensive FLN programs that include a holistic package of Structured Pedagogy and Teaching at the Right Level. Now picture African nations like Zambia sharing success stories like the "Teaching at the Right Level" model, all fueled by data-driven insights. Collaboration is the key to unlocking a brighter educational future for Africa's children. Let's break down silos, leverage data, focus on pedagogical rigor and evidence by working together to build a solid foundation for the continent's future! Read the joint statement below from Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Zambia Minister of Education, and Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Founder and CEO of Human Capital Africa. 

💡 Over the past two decades, Africa has made significant progress as pertains access, completion and quality of basic education, yet disparities still persist across various countries. According to the African Union (AU), girls, children from the poorest backgrounds, children with disabilities and children on the move such as those forcibly displaced, face difficulties in realising their right to education. Additionally, limitations in teacher development in Africa continue with recurrent teacher shortages, inadequate professional development opportunities, as well as low status and working conditions- Kenya included.   For us to accelerate progress towards the achievement of #SDG4QualityEducation and lifelong learning, there must therefore be a transformation of #AfricanEducationSystems. The AU proposes to do this by:   🎯 Proper financing of Africa's education ambition, thus addressing the constrained education financing landscape. 🎯 Developing and implementing effective, long-lasting, system-wide transformational strategies for education. 🎯 Emphasising the role of teachers as key agents of transformation; empowering them and collaborating with them.   📌 Investing in Education is thus the most effective investment in the fight against poverty, reducing gender inequalities, improving socioeconomic development, building more inclusive, peaceful, just, and sustainable societies, thus creating stronger democracies. Through the implementation of the new competency-based curriculum (CBC), Kenya has an opportunity to showcase what #EducationTransformation in Africa looks like- mobilising stakeholders to renew their commitments and resources to deliver on policy reforms, upskilling teachers and school leaders, mentoring and supporting teachers on the tenets of CBC- all towards achieving AU’s ambitions for #2024YearOfEducation and ensuring that education serves as a pathway to a meaningful and dignified life. We, together with our INCREASE project partner, Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI), remain committed to this 💪🚀!   #EducationReforms #EducationMatters

Education is the bedrock of every society; a society that fails to provide resources and platforms for its citizens to acquire different forms of standard education has planned to fail. When the people of a given society are educated, it creates a pathway for societal transformation. In my undergraduate days at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, I understood that Nigeria is still lagging on issues regarding education. While taking certain courses, we were not given the privilege to practice the things we had learned. We ought to utilize classroom knowledge in real-life situations; however, due to a lack of learning resources and practical materials, these experimentations ended only in our minds. With most courses demanding practical and field actions, we must arm ourselves with new and improved teaching and learning techniques. It is essential to review and update the existing methods to suit the ever-dynamic global world. Nigeria is a country with many academic institutions. However, most Nigerian students would instead leave the country to further their studies due to the harsh learning conditions and the lack of access to learning materials. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4( Quality Education) touches all parts of the earth. Lack of resources is one thing, and having access to education is another. Achieving this goal might seem elusive, courtesy of varied social issues. There are still societies where women have been faced with discrimination as a result of their wanting to get educated, in Middle Eastern societies where they attack and prevent women from acquiring education, and also in the Eastern part of Nigeria where an Indigenous group has declared days when people should move about in their communities. We also have cases of underpayment of teachers/lecturers. Poverty, bad government, and social crisis are why most people are not equipped with quality education. Many World societies have been able to set up standardized Educational systems, but most African nations have failed to do so. This is why it is essential for the government to passionately delve into enacting policies that will furnish institutions, both primary, secondary, and tertiary, with the necessary teaching and learning tools. I believe that a Country that values education has nourished itself for days of social starvation and armed itself for continuous growth and innovation. When citizens are equipped with the appropriate knowledge, they become instrumental in the growth of their countries, and by extension, they impact the international scene. That said, I call on Organisations, Individuals, Politicians, and the government to indulge in research activities and projects that will help us highlight and implement influential educational policies and maintain the outcome of these policies. #qualityeducation

Yesterday, at the International Conference on Girl Child Education in Nigeria, organized by Nigeria Governors' Forum Secretariat, I had the privilege of delivering a goodwill message that struck a personal chord with me, and I believe it's #foodforthought as we commemorate the #InternationalDayoftheGirlChild. I shared the story of my late father with a distinguished audience that included the Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia; the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman San; and several State Commissioners of Education. My father, like many boys of his time (in the 1930s), was favoured over his sister to receive a quality education. He rose to the highest levels of academic success, becoming a Professor of Economics. Meanwhile, his sister’s potential went mostly untapped simply because she lacked the same access to education. As a #GirlDad today, my perspective is completely different. My daughters are my legacy, and I now understand that their future—and that of my family for generations to come—rests squarely on the foundation of quality education that I give them. This deeply personal connection has strengthened my resolve to advocate relentlessly for girl child education. It is non-negotiable. I speak not only as a father, but as a Nigerian father, deeply aware that the future of our nation is intricately tied to ensuring every girl has the education she deserves. When we educate girls, we do more than transform individual lives—we unlock the potential of entire communities and economies. To achieve this at scale, we must embrace innovative solutions grounded in the realities of our local context. States like Edo, Lagos, Kwara, and Bayelsa are currently implementing globally acclaimed methodologies that leverage technology and enhance the instructional delivery of foundational literacy and numeracy. These reform initiatives, championed by their visionary State Governors and supported by NewGlobe, are producing transformational learning outcomes and increasing pupil enrolment in public schools, with the girl child benefiting significantly. They stand as proofs-of-concept that with determined leadership and localized innovative solutions, we can transform education for all children, especially girls, at scale. It is time to ensure that quality education for the girl child becomes a national reality. #GirlChildEducation #InternationalDayoftheGirlChild #NewGlobe #NigeriaEducation #UnlockingPotential #Leadership #SDG4 #SDG5