Educational Recovery and Learning Crisis

• Learning Poverty and Skills Gaps:

  • The World Bank has highlighted a critical educational issue: “learning poverty,” which refers to children unable to read a basic text by age 10. This rate, which rose significantly during the pandemic, now impacts 70% of 10-year-olds in low-income countries. The economic implications are vast, with lifetime earnings losses from these educational setbacks potentially amounting to $21 trillion. Addressing this requires targeted “Learning Acceleration Programs” to help students regain lost ground​

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• Global Skills Development:

  • Educational reform is necessary for workforce readiness, with a focus on foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and socioemotional development. The World Economic Forum (WEF) supports revamping curricula and integrating more digital and socioemotional skills to better prepare students for a technology-driven economy. The WEF also encourages partnerships with businesses to align educational outcomes with evolving workforce demands, especially in a post-COVID economy where traditional job skills may no longer suffice​

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• Future Workforce and Economic Resilience:

  • As economies transition to greener practices, education systems are increasingly tasked with providing the skills necessary for sustainable industries. This includes training in digital, cognitive, and technical skills that are essential for green jobs and innovation. The World Bank’s strategy in more than 100 countries aims to create lifelong learning opportunities that prepare youth for changing labor markets while also supporting long-term economic stability and environmental goals​

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