Where I have been working until recently has had some of the weakest educational outcomes in a continent which itself has relatively weak educational outcomes. However the true challenge is far broader: with technology advancing rapidly and replacing middle-class jobs, educational systems are not reforming sufficiently quickly to prepare or retool workers for the age of technology, resulting in rising inequality, so the emerging education crisis goes well beyond weak performers.
Ghamzada - 7 years ago
I usually ask random questions from fifth and sixth graders and university students in my country to see where we are...most often the responses are shocking. This added with the fact that millions of our kids are still out of school and that we have one of the lowest adult literacy rate make me believe that we are in a learning crisis.
Marcela - 7 years ago
In Uruguay, our education has suffered a lot. Our children are learning less and this will affect our nation´s future. Eventhough, our primary school education has obtained many acheivements specially in public school where the WB has a project in this area; our secondary school suffer many drop outs from young people who just reach 14-15 years of age. This situation will be dramatic when ¨these young people¨ become the future nation´s working force. Old fashioned teaching methods and underqualified teachers are key to reverse the tendency.
Regina - 7 years ago
In Nigeria, the frequency and duration of teacher labor union strikes is undermining the quality of education. I would consider this a crisis because it has far-reaching implications for youths, the job market, and all other efforts to raise Nigeria our of its economic slump.
Inga - 7 years ago
I was in Ghana on mission last week and went to an art market over the weekend. I bought a few things from a lady and her daughter who was 11. I gave my money to the girl and asked her how much my change was. The math was 50-36=14. The girl made several attempts and really struggled to do simple math.
My son is 12 and he already does algebra in school. It is unfair that these two beautiful children have such an uneven start in life.
Vandana Chandra - 7 years ago
There is a learning crisis at every level of education - primary, secondary and tertiary with the most severe one being at the bureaucratic level. How do we expect prudent decision-making in a country where the policy makers are not well-educated and aware of good practice in successful countries? With its obsession for first achievement 100% primary education before focusing on higher levels, the WB has not realized that economic development in education is not a linear process. We keep justifying low or no public investment in tertiary education, especially the sciences by asserting that it benefits the elite. There is no motivation for a young student to aspire for excellence at the primary level unless there are high financial rewards for moving up to the secondary level. I am not talking about Ph.D.s. Technikons would be sufficient but we need to promote education at every level in a country. A country without engineers and scientists has never developed. Look at India - it multi-tiered web of education and vocational training turns out a large pool of educated individuals at every level.
Maria - 7 years ago
The approach to education needs to be more holistic, inclusive and diversified
Holistic --in covering pre-school children, addressing health and nutrition as obstacles t learning by offering support programs though the schools and adjusting school schedules to rural realities
Inclusive/diversified --by addressing the cultural, linguistic and technical needs of different groups (eg, adult education, financial literacy, on the job training for youth, mentoring by elders, bilingual education
Lucas - 7 years ago
Segregation is the true learning crisis.
Juan Diego Alonso - 7 years ago
I think it would have been more accurate to define what a learning crisis is and then set the poll. This way, a) the options could have been reduced by one; and b) those not knowing how authors define a learning crisis would have probably not chosen the "what's a learning crisis option?".
Hope this helps,
Canagarajah - 7 years ago
Many countries in ECA seem to struggle with getting the balance right between education and skills development. Learning tests are not all bad in all the countries in ECA, but the general trend shows this is a challenge for us to address with our clients collectively, as countries try to employ their people and ensure that education is value for money in their budgets.
yara - 7 years ago
in Palestine, there is an issue of drop out that affect learning outcomes. this is due to the impact of conflict on families in terms of poverty, lack of opportunity and any hope of change. the lack of prospect is having a huge impact on learning in addition to the lack of meaningful and engaging teaching methods that are aligned with job market.
Where I have been working until recently has had some of the weakest educational outcomes in a continent which itself has relatively weak educational outcomes. However the true challenge is far broader: with technology advancing rapidly and replacing middle-class jobs, educational systems are not reforming sufficiently quickly to prepare or retool workers for the age of technology, resulting in rising inequality, so the emerging education crisis goes well beyond weak performers.
I usually ask random questions from fifth and sixth graders and university students in my country to see where we are...most often the responses are shocking. This added with the fact that millions of our kids are still out of school and that we have one of the lowest adult literacy rate make me believe that we are in a learning crisis.
In Uruguay, our education has suffered a lot. Our children are learning less and this will affect our nation´s future. Eventhough, our primary school education has obtained many acheivements specially in public school where the WB has a project in this area; our secondary school suffer many drop outs from young people who just reach 14-15 years of age. This situation will be dramatic when ¨these young people¨ become the future nation´s working force. Old fashioned teaching methods and underqualified teachers are key to reverse the tendency.
In Nigeria, the frequency and duration of teacher labor union strikes is undermining the quality of education. I would consider this a crisis because it has far-reaching implications for youths, the job market, and all other efforts to raise Nigeria our of its economic slump.
I was in Ghana on mission last week and went to an art market over the weekend. I bought a few things from a lady and her daughter who was 11. I gave my money to the girl and asked her how much my change was. The math was 50-36=14. The girl made several attempts and really struggled to do simple math.
My son is 12 and he already does algebra in school. It is unfair that these two beautiful children have such an uneven start in life.
There is a learning crisis at every level of education - primary, secondary and tertiary with the most severe one being at the bureaucratic level. How do we expect prudent decision-making in a country where the policy makers are not well-educated and aware of good practice in successful countries? With its obsession for first achievement 100% primary education before focusing on higher levels, the WB has not realized that economic development in education is not a linear process. We keep justifying low or no public investment in tertiary education, especially the sciences by asserting that it benefits the elite. There is no motivation for a young student to aspire for excellence at the primary level unless there are high financial rewards for moving up to the secondary level. I am not talking about Ph.D.s. Technikons would be sufficient but we need to promote education at every level in a country. A country without engineers and scientists has never developed. Look at India - it multi-tiered web of education and vocational training turns out a large pool of educated individuals at every level.
The approach to education needs to be more holistic, inclusive and diversified
Holistic --in covering pre-school children, addressing health and nutrition as obstacles t learning by offering support programs though the schools and adjusting school schedules to rural realities
Inclusive/diversified --by addressing the cultural, linguistic and technical needs of different groups (eg, adult education, financial literacy, on the job training for youth, mentoring by elders, bilingual education
Segregation is the true learning crisis.
I think it would have been more accurate to define what a learning crisis is and then set the poll. This way, a) the options could have been reduced by one; and b) those not knowing how authors define a learning crisis would have probably not chosen the "what's a learning crisis option?".
Hope this helps,
Many countries in ECA seem to struggle with getting the balance right between education and skills development. Learning tests are not all bad in all the countries in ECA, but the general trend shows this is a challenge for us to address with our clients collectively, as countries try to employ their people and ensure that education is value for money in their budgets.
in Palestine, there is an issue of drop out that affect learning outcomes. this is due to the impact of conflict on families in terms of poverty, lack of opportunity and any hope of change. the lack of prospect is having a huge impact on learning in addition to the lack of meaningful and engaging teaching methods that are aligned with job market.