Oman, for the 3rd ICESCO Education Ministers Conference on October 2-3, 2024, NewGlobe has highlighted the transformative educational initiatives taking place in Nigeria. The conference, themed “Beyond Transforming Education Summit: from Commitments to Actions,” aims to reinforce commitments among member states to advance educational reform and innovation.
The opening ceremony will be co-led by Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Her participation underscores the significance of Nigeria’s efforts in the global education landscape, especially as NewGlobe showcases successful homegrown projects that have made a substantial impact in the country.
The conference, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Education, will draw education ministers from Islamic nations and representatives from 27 regional and international organizations. Its focus will be on disseminating best practices and fostering cooperation among member states to enhance educational outcomes.
NewGlobe, represented by Co-Founder and President Dr. Shannon May, will present insights from its large-scale education transformation programs in Nigeria, including initiatives like EdoBEST, EKOEXCEL, KwaraLEARN, and BayelsaPRIME. These programs partner with state governments to strengthen educational systems, aiming to provide equitable access to quality education in both urban and rural communities.
“NewGlobe is uniquely positioned to support foundational literacy and numeracy growth in Nigeria, a key objective for Nigeria’s participation in the ICESCO Education Ministers Conference,” said Dr. May, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to aligning educational strategies with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4), which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.
The success of NewGlobe’s approach is backed by a two-year study led by Nobel Prize-winning professor Michael Kremer, which revealed significant learning gains in NewGlobe-supported schools, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy for early learners. The study found that students benefiting from NewGlobe’s methods achieved the equivalent of an additional year and a half of learning within just two years.
The conference will also feature academic sessions addressing various critical topics, including global education perspectives, multilateral partnerships, the role of artificial intelligence in education, and strategies for education during crises. Reports discussing ICESCO’s educational activities, the current state of girls’ education, and the progress on transforming education will also be reviewed.
The event is expected to culminate in the adoption of the “Muscat Declaration on Transforming Education in the Islamic World,” setting the stage for future collaborations and initiatives aimed at enhancing educational systems across member states.