We had the privilege of joining the Federal Ministry of Education for the 2026 Basic Education in Nigeria Bootcamp (BEN-B) in April. It was an inspiring space to discuss the future of learning, but it also called for some sobering reflections.
While it is wonderful to see school enrolment climbing across Nigeria, the reality is that many children are still being left behind in the classroom. During the bootcamp, our Executive Director, Titus Syengo, reflected on a lead paper exploring this persistent “learning gap.” With only 11.2% of 10-year-olds currently reading at a minimum proficiency level, it is clear that access to school is only half the battle—the collective goal must be to ensure that once children are in the classroom, they are actually learning.
In response to this challenge, state governments and SUBEBs across 11 states, are leading the implementation of the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach. By assessing children at their actual level and grouping them by ability rather than age, government teachers are ensuring students master the foundations. TaRL is already active in over 1,800 schools, and early evidence shows encouraging gains in reading and numeracy. However, sustained progress requires a continued, unified focus on:
✏️ Supporting teachers as the heart of the school system.
✏️ Integrating foundational learning into national and state education policy.
✏️ Aligning financing and data systems to better track learning outcomes.
This work is a shared effort, and the true drivers of change are the governments, communities, and teachers on the ground.
🔗 Learn more about TaRL in Nigeria:
Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Josephine Chundung Piyo | Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa | Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad | Hafsatu Hamza
