The Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) reviewed a report issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF) under the title of “Why investing in girls’ education is both an economic and moral imperative”.
The report shows that investments made in education are directly responsible for half of all economic growth in the last three decades. And as World Bank research suggests, if all girls had the chance to complete their secondary education, countries would gain between $15-$30 trillion dollars in lifetime productivity and earnings.
Currently, progress towards gender equality is unequally distributed nationally and internationally. In much of Africa, while meaningful gains in girls’ education have been made among wealthier urban households, in rural communities not much has changed. “We must not let considerable, and impressive, progress for some women and girls blind us to the huge challenges the majority face, knowing that gender disparities globally are increasing,” the report added.
In South Sudan, 2.8 million children and youth are chronically out of school. Only one in 10 girls complete primary education; girls make up just one-third of the secondary school population; and 40% who drop out at this stage cite early pregnancy or marriage as the reason. When faced with the choice, families will prioritize their sons’ education over their daughters,’ the report said.
For years, education systems have prioritized infrastructure, but progress in expanding access to education has not translated into improved learning outcomes. In Africa, nine out of 10 children cannot read a simple sentence by age 10. This is not just a scandal – it is an economic catastrophe. With the continent’s population being the youngest in the world, the cost of inaction is too high, according to the report.
Innovative, technology-driven and community-led models have shown promise. Countries like Kenya and Sierra Leone have successfully implemented cost-effective, evidence-based interventions – including structured lesson plans, phonics, digital learning and targeted teacher training – that yield tangible results.
Technology presents a transformational opportunity as long as equal access is enabled. Adaptive learning platforms can personalize instruction, while radio and mobile-based learning, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to reach many out-of-school students.
Accelerated Education Programs, which don’t require access to school facilities, have also proven highly effective across the continent, including in South Sudan. Designed to reach vulnerable children, these programs partner with communities while integrating mentorship, safety and self-esteem initiatives – fostering a sense of belonging and dignity, especially for girls and young women, added the report.
Within the next decade, Africa will have a workforce of one billion people aged 15 to 65. The key to harnessing this demographic potential is education – particularly for girls. Following the conclusion of the African Union’s “Year of Education”, governments and development partners must scale up investments into cost-effective, innovative solutions that address the continent’s learning crisis.
