The World Bank’s Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) report has rated Kwara State Government’s Leading Education Achievement and Reform Now (KwaraLEARN) among “Smart Buys”.

In low and middle-income countries, the ability of children to read and comprehend simple texts by age 10 is a significant challenge. This, GEEAP has identified with cost-effective interventions that can make a difference.

KwaraLEARN, dedicated to transforming education in the state’s public primary schools, the World Bank said, aligns with the recommendations of the 2023 Cost-Effective Approaches to Improve Global Learning Report by GEEAP.

By implementing structured pedagogy programmes, KwaraLEARN is empowering teachers and fostering increased learning gains, especially in foundational literacy and numeracy, while keeping costs low.

The “Smart Buys” report emphasises the crucial role of supporting teachers with structured pedagogy programmes, and this is what KwaraLEARN offers, The Guardian learnt.

Over 6,000 teachers and headteachers have already been trained and upskilled through the programme, resulting in a remarkable improvement in student learning outcomes.

Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs. Kemi Adeoshun, highlights the importance of KwaraLEARN’s commitment to evidence-based approaches.

She states: “Through comprehensive packages that include structured lesson plans, learning materials, and ongoing teacher support, KwaraLEARN has revolutionised teaching practices in the state. By supporting teachers with structured pedagogy programmes, we have witnessed a remarkable improvement in student learning outcomes.”

Kwara SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Raheem Adaramaja, emphasises the impact of technology in the classroom. “Through the distribution of teacher tablets and smartphones, KwaraLEARN has empowered teachers to integrate technology into their teaching methodologies, enhancing the learning experience for students. By equipping teachers with the necessary tools and resources, we are fostering a more engaging and interactive learning environment.”