eLearning: A solution to Africa’s education and skills acquisition deficit

According to a 2022 UNESCO report, which remains the most recent, there are 244 million out of school children (6 to 18 year olds) worldwide. Africa accounts for the highest number with 98 million children of school age out of school, followed by Asia with 85 million. Nigeria leads the table with over 20 million out of school children, a staggering 10% or so of its entire population. West and Central Africa account for almost a quarter of the total number worldwide with 58 million. All these may sound like mere figures, until someone spells out the implications. And Maureen Magee, Regional Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Central and West Africa brought the implications home with ample clarity when she said, “every child out of school, every day of learning lost, is one brick fewer to build peace and prosperity in the region.” That sadly, is the simple truth.

In an effort to ameliorate this situation in several regions of the world but particularly in Africa, Rebecca Stromeyer, the multilingual and multicultural German-Australian, and globally recognised leader in the field of digital learning, EdTech and international education, established what has come to be known as perhaps the leading e-learning outfit in Africa. Driven by a burning desire to see our world become a more just one, and recognising education as a primary tool to make this reality, she founded eLearning Africa, which is positively shaping the future of education and skills development across the continent. Curious to know what motivates her tireless effort, EduTimes Africa sought an audience with her and was glad that it was granted.