80 primary schools across four states benefit from Oando Foundation literacy programme

…as foundation launches LEARNOVATE-Flip to enhance literacy and numeracy in Nigeria

Not less than 80 public primary schools in four states will benefit from LEARNOVATE- Foundational Learning Improvement Programme (FLIP) to enhance literacy and numeracy as part of Oando Foundation’s educational improvement initiative.

This pioneering initiative, in collaboration with Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa, Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA) and Hilltrust Top Foundation, leverages evidence-based methods to address the learning crisis in Nigeria and build stronger educational outcomes for pupils in Ebonyi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Adamawa States.

Tonia Uduimoh, head of Oando Foundation speaking on the launch of the initiative said, “We are excited to introduce the Foundational Learning Improvement Programme as part of our LEARNOVATE strategy, in line with our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every child, especially in underserved communities, has access to quality education.

”By incorporating evidence-based methodologies and focusing on lesson instructions and assessments in mother-tongue, we aim to address the existing learning gaps among young learners and create a deeper understanding of how to improve educational outcomes for Nigerian students.

”The impact of this pilot will not only inform future educational practices but will also support the achievement of the United Nations’ SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Ultimately, our goal is to empower children with the foundational skills they need to succeed, contributing to the sustainable growth and development of their communities and Nigeria as a whole.”

Patience Ogodo, the executive chairman at State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ebonyi State who applauded Oando Foundation’s efforts in making the initiative a reality, said; “We commend Oando Foundation for its unwavering commitment to transforming education in Nigeria.”

Besides, Ogodo emphasized that the initiative represents a strategic and impactful response to the pressing challenges of foundational literacy and numeracy, particularly for children in underserved communities.

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“By integrating evidence-based methodologies and prioritizing inclusive approaches such as mother-tongue assessments, this program not only improves learning outcomes but also empowers students to realize their full potential.

“We are proud to collaborate on this transformative journey, which reflects a shared vision of equitable access to quality education. Together, we are driving sustainable change, enriching lives, and building a more inclusive and prosperous society for future generations,” she said.

This initiative builds on Oando Foundation’s current literacy strategy centered around improving foundational learning through innovative approaches and promoting sustainability within educational systems.

A key component, learning, focuses on prioritizing innovation in education to promote equity and improve learning and skills – targeting in-school children and youth.

By leveraging technology and fostering partnerships, the aim of the initiative is to bridge educational gaps and build future-ready skills and strengthen state and community structures to sustain these improvements.

The programme also aims to empower education officers with the capacity to create more engaging and impactful classroom experiences, ultimately ensuring a more robust and long-lasting improvement in learning outcomes.

It is anchored on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four, the initiative integrates two methodologies taking a targeted approach to enhance inclusive and equitable quality education: Early Grade Reading (EGR) co-implemented by QEDA and Hilltrust Top Foundation, focuses on foundational literacy for primary one to three pupils in Ebonyi, Plateau, and Sokoto States. By employing mother tongue and English materials, the initiative ensures pupils build strong reading and comprehension skills.

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) executed in partnership with TaRL Africa, provides remedial literacy and numeracy support for primary four to six pupils in Adamawa State, particularly those with interrupted schooling.

The LEARNOVATE – FLIP has commenced and will run concurrently in target states throughout the 2024/2025 academic year. With the pilot poised to deliver measurable outcomes, the Oando Foundation is setting a precedent for this pilot to serve as a compelling foundation for evidence-based advocacy, further inspiring government and private sector investments in initiatives that bolster foundational learning and educational access, all guided by the literacy programme model.

Oando Foundation is an independent charity established in 2011 to support the Nigerian government in achieving its Universal Basic Education goal. Through the Adopt-A-School Initiative, the Foundation has garnered over a decade long experience and accomplishments, supporting basic education access and quality across 88 adopted schools in Nigeria through an integrated whole-school improvement approach.

The foundation’s new strategy prioritises innovation and investments in foundational learning quality across target schools, especially around foundational literacy and numeracy skills mastery (Learning), green skills development (Planet), and sector thought leadership (advocacy). 190 schools supported to date under the new strategy.