World Teachers’ Day more than a day to celebrate hardworking and dedicated teachers
“In sub-Saharan Africa only 10% can read a simple sentence at the age of 10. Hundreds of millions of children are in school, but not learning”
Teaching is the most important job in the world. The quality of any nation’s education cannot exceed the quality of its educators.
Yet, in many low and middle income countries the profession is in a critical condition. UNESCO estimates a shortfall in teachers in sub-Saharan Africa alone of 15 million.
Worse, teachers struggling to help students have little or no support.
“Many teachers do not have access to quality training and continuous professional development,” says UNESCO.
Compounding this is the sad truth that many teachers themselves often struggle with the content they are teaching. Literacy and numeracy can be a challenge.
Nearly 90% of children around the world go to primary school. But only about 35% can read a simple sentence at the age of 10. In sub-Saharan Africa only 10% can. Hundreds of millions of children are in school, but not learning.