The World Bank has endorsed the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation, EdoBEST, programme as a model for educational development in low-income countries, citing its transformative impact on basic education in Edo State since its launch in 2018.
The initiative, introduced under former Governor Godwin Obaseki, has improved learning outcomes, enhanced teacher training, and integrated technology into classrooms, earning widespread recognition for its effectiveness.
With at least 400,000 children benefiting, the programme trained 20,000 teachers in digital skills and classroom management, distributed 15,000 tablets, seven million exam materials, and 1.5 million textbooks across schools in Edo State. Its success has also inspired Bayelsa, Kwara, and Lagos States to adopt the model.
A World Bank report by Education Specialist MartÃn E. De Simone highlights EdoBEST’s achievements as a benchmark for other nations seeking to modernize their education systems. The report underscores how Edo’s approach offers valuable lessons for tackling learning deficits in resource-constrained environments.
The global endorsement reaffirms EdoBEST’s role in shaping the future of education reform, providing a replicable framework for improved literacy and numeracy among pupils.
Reported by The Guardian.
