Beyond traditional literacy skills, such as reading and writing, digital literacy has become an absolute necessity in the region, especially for its educators.
Beyond traditional literacy skills, such as reading and writing, digital literacy has become an absolute necessity in the region, especially for its educators.
Across the world, the largest deficits in teaching personnel are concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. This trend poses a substantial risk to the continent’s development, according to data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
To achieve the goal of universal primary and secondary education by 2030, the region needs approximately 17 million teachers in total.
Teaching personnel shortage
This education challenge profoundly impacts the acquisition of future skills by young people, presenting a significant barrier to their employment prospects and potential.
Statistics reveal that over 72 million youth in Africa are currently not engaged in education, employment, or training. The majority of them are young women.
Digital literacy and skills training
Moreover, while the global literacy rate has reached 90 percent, Africa’s average literacy rate hovers around approximately 70 percent. Beyond traditional literacy skills, such as reading and writing, digital literacy has become an absolute necessity in the region.
In fact, a report from the International Finance Corporation estimates that by 2030, about 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will necessitate digital skills.
The Africa Code Week program – initiated by SAP in 2015 as a part of its social investments into sustainable growth in Africa – strives to close the gap and provide new opportunities for educators to upskill.
In 2022 alone, the program actively engaged with over 2.6 million participants, providing them with essential 21st-century skills.
Educator trainings
The specialized training in coding and digital literacy helps to enhance educators’ teaching capacity. The workshops prepare them for delivering high-quality instruction in technology-related subjects.
Educators are thus empowered to go beyond traditional teaching methods and incorporate innovative approaches.
