Minister of Education, Science and Technology Honorable Bright Msaka, SC, says increased investment in teacher training is critical to improving foundational learning outcomes by ensuring that learners receive adequate support during the early years of primary education.

The Minister made the remarks during the Pre-Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (Pre-FLEX) Learning Exchange in Lilongwe on Tuesday under the theme Building Foundations for Learning: Lessons for Africa and Learning from India.

Msaka said the early years of primary education are critical because they provide the foundation upon which learners build future knowledge and skills as such having adequate numbers of trained teachers in lower primary is essential to ensuring that learners receive the attention and support needed to master basic reading, writing and numeracy skills before progressing to higher levels of education.

Msaka observed that India’s experience is relevant to Africa because both regions face similar challenges, including linguistic diversity, decentralised education systems, limited resources and disparities in learning opportunities between rural and urban communities.

Former Secretary of Education in the Government of India Sanjay Kumar said increased investment enables education systems to improve teacher capacity, provide better learning opportunities and strengthen interventions aimed at improving literacy and numeracy outcomes.

UNICEF Country respresentative Dr Penelope Campbell said there is need for evidence-based advocacy, increased public financing, and efficient use of available resources remains critical to strengthening foundational learning. Stakeholders emphasised that every available dollar must be carefully invested to deliver meaningful learning outcomes for children