World Bank: 87% Of Children Aged 10 In Sub-Saharan Africa Cannot Read And Understand

The World Bank acting country manager, Beatrix Allah-Mensah, recently said despite the substantial progress in education across the African continent, there are significant gaps in education investment. 

Consequently, it has left many unprepared for a fast-changing world with growing job dynamics.

The World Bank said over 87% of children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read and understand simple story at the age of ten.

Beatrix disclosed this at the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty-End Poverty Day (EDP) 2019 on the theme “Ending Learning Poverty: What Will it Take”.

The World Bank described this as a global learning crisis, adding that many people were in school, but they lack adequate education facility.

She added that, “Since reading is one important gateway skill, all children should be able to read in other to develop more complex foundation cognitive and socio-emotional skills as they grow up”.

On the world scale, 53% of children in low and middle income countries in late primary age cannot read and understand a simple story.