Forbes – Staff Writer
“Illiteracy rates in West Africa were the highest in the world in 2009, but as recently as 2013 the World Bank reported that things were turning around. Across the region, many more children, especially girls, were enrolling in primary school. Despite these significant gains in enrollment rates, the underlying problem was glaringly clear: enrolling in school does not guarantee a young person will be literate upon graduation (in several West African countries, the adult literacy rate is still below 50%) or that they will be able to secure a sustainable and meaningful livelihood in today’s dynamic market. “Students in sub-Saharan Africa leave school without the basic learning skills to escape the gravitational pull of mass poverty and to create opportunities for themselves in the job market,” said Cameroon-born Madelle Kangha, 24. “Building schools doesn’t necessarily result in higher literacy, post-graduation employment rates or even increased education.” When it comes to ways forward, Kangha points out that young people who find themselves in real-world, hands-on learning spaces are more willing to take risks and pursue their dreams. “They see a shift,” she said. “Their perception of themselves and what they can bring to the table changes.” Kangha teamed up with her partner, Nigerian social entrepreneur Omotola Akinsola, to offer an alternative to the lackluster, insulated learning environments widely available. Together they decided not to simply build another schoolhouse but to co-found Jumpstart Academy Africa. The Academy identifies existing schools in Cameroon and Nigeria and partners with them to create improved learning environments that equip young people with the skills that will make them assets for any work environment in the 21st Century.”(more)