High-quality teaching is the single most important in-school factor that determines whether children learn. Yet across many parts of Africa, classrooms still struggle with large pupil numbers, uneven teacher preparation, weak professional development, and repeated disruptions from conflict and climate shocks. Solving these problems is not a mystery — the research points to clear, scalable levers that Ministries, donors, teacher trainers, and school leaders can use to unlock better teaching and accelerate learning for millions of children.
This post synthesizes the latest findings (2023–2025), shows what works in practice, and offers a concise roadmap for action. Wherever possible I reference the most recent, high-quality reviews and reports so your strategy rests on current evidence.
Why teaching must be the centrepiece of education reform
Multiple global and regional analyses find the same conclusion: improving the quality of teaching delivers larger, more durable gains in learning than most single investments in infrastructure or short workshops. In African systems, however, foundational learning remains worryingly low — recent spotlight reports show that only a small share of children reach minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics by the end of primary school, underscoring the urgency of focusing reforms on the classroom. (UNESCO)
Two linked realities make this especially urgent in Africa: (1) many teachers receive fragmented, one-off training that rarely changes daily classroom practice; and (2) learning losses from crises accumulate faster where teaching is weak. Targeted, sustained improvement in teaching is therefore the highest-value equity investment systems can make. (UNICEF)
What the latest research says about effective teacher improvement
Recent evidence syntheses and operational guides (2023–2025) converge on a few practical truths:
- Sustained, classroom-anchored professional development (PD) that includes cycles of observation, modelling and feedback improves teacher practice more than one-time workshops. Systematic reviews in the region show blended PD (group training + coaching + curriculum-aligned materials) yields the best outcomes. (Teacher Task Force)
- Coaching works — when it’s short, targeted, and directive. Experimental studies and replications demonstrate that focused coaching improves teachers’ instructional moves and can translate into better student engagement and learning gains. The evidence supports scaling coaching models while maintaining quality control. (SAGE Journals)
- Measure foundational learning regularly and use the data. Tools that track early reading and numeracy — and feed results back to schools — enable targeted teacher support and faster improvements. Recent monitoring frameworks emphasize simple, low-cost assessment routines as a backbone for instructional reform. (UNICEF)
- Teacher status, career pathways and working conditions matter. Reforming pay, career ladders (lead teacher, master coach), and deployment policies improves teacher motivation and retention — essential for sustained quality. Global reviews stress that professional recognition and clear progression are as important as technical training. (Open Knowledge Portal)
Five high-impact, evidence-backed strategies to unlock teaching quality
Below are practical strategies drawn from the research that ministries and partners can implement now.
1. Replace one-off workshops with coaching cycles
Workshops raise awareness but rarely change daily habits. Coaching — where trained coaches observe lessons, model a practice, and give structured feedback — produces measurable improvements in classroom practice. Start with pilot coaching hubs in priority districts, document results, and scale iteratively. Use open classroom observation tools to standardize feedback and measure progress. (World Bank)
2. Make foundational learning the non-negotiable priority
Target early-grade reading and numeracy with simple routines: daily guided practice, short fluency checks, and weekly mini-assessments that inform lesson planning. Countries that institutionalize frequent, low-cost assessments are better able to direct teacher support where it matters most. Align PD and instructional materials to these foundational goals. (UNICEF)
3. Build pragmatic teacher career pathways
Design in-service progression routes tied to demonstrated classroom practice — e.g., lead teacher, mentor, curriculum specialist — and link these roles to modest financial or time incentives. Career ladders both recognize excellence and create internal capacity (mentors/coaches) to sustain improvement across schools. (Open Knowledge Portal)
4. Use technology to amplify, not replace, human support
Digital tools (video libraries of model lessons, SMS coaching prompts, low-bandwidth observation apps) can expand reach and reduce costs — but only when tightly aligned with curriculum and coaching systems. Tech works best when it augments human coaching and provides just-in-time resources for teachers. Pilot blended tech + human models and measure classroom uptake. (World Bank)
5. Prepare teachers for shocks and protect learning continuity
Climate events, displacement, and conflict are increasingly common in parts of Africa. Prepare teachers with emergency lesson packs, multi-modal delivery plans (radio, print, community learning spaces), and psychosocial training so learning can continue despite disruptions. Systems that plan for resilience reduce learning losses and support teacher wellbeing. (UNICEF)
Real examples that show the approach works
- Coaching Hubs: District hubs where master teachers rotate across schools to coach classroom teachers have shown improvements in lesson planning and instructional routines in pilots across several African countries. Scaling these as a district function reduces travel costs and institutionalizes mentorship. (World Bank)
- Foundational Learning Campaigns: National drives that pair teacher training with routine classroom assessment have produced measurable improvements in early literacy and numeracy in places that sustained the push beyond a single year. UNICEF’s 2025 FLAT highlights where policy alignment (assessment + teacher support) improved frontline practice. (UNICEF)
- Short, Targeted Coaching Trials: Experimental evidence shows that brief, directive coaching can shift teachers’ instruction in simulated and real classrooms — a promising sign for cost-effective scale. (SAGE Journals)
Where to invest for the biggest return
Resources are finite. The research recommends rebalancing budgets toward what changes classroom practice:
- Shift in-service funds from one-day workshops to coaching and classroom materials.
- Fund district-level coaching hubs and peer-learning communities.
- Invest in routine assessment systems and simple data dashboards for school leaders.
- Support scholarships and stronger practicum placements in initial teacher education to raise the entry quality into the profession. (World Bank)
These choices maximize returns because they focus on changing what teachers do every day.
Measuring success: indicators that matter
Track a concise set of indicators to monitor progress and adapt:
- Classroom practice (observation checklists showing frequency of core instructional behaviours).
- Foundational learning outcomes (short repeated measures in reading and numeracy).
- Teacher participation in sustained PD (completion of coaching cycles, not one-off workshops).
- Teacher retention and progression (promotions into mentor/lead roles).
- Equity metrics (improvement in rural and low-income schools).
Collecting these metrics regularly allows course-correction and shows whether investments lead to real classroom change. (World Bank)
Political economy and realistic timelines
Teaching reform is political and long-term. Quick wins (pilot coaching, national basic assessment rollout) build credibility, while durable change typically requires sustained investment and policy coherence over 5–10 years. Engage unions, teacher colleges, district leaders, and communities early to build ownership — reforms that feel locally owned are likelier to stick.
Conclusion — a practical roadmap
Unlocking high-quality teaching in Africa is possible and urgent. The evidence from 2023–2025 consistently points to a focused set of actions: invest in classroom-anchored coaching, prioritize foundational learning with regular assessments, professionalize career pathways, use technology to scale support, and prepare teachers for shocks. Reallocating existing funds toward these levers, building local coaching capacity, and measuring progress will produce the biggest returns for learners.
If you are a policymaker, donor, or school leader: start with a small, well-observed pilot (coaching + assessment) in priority districts, document impact, and scale what works. Teaching is where the learning happens — get that right, and the rest follows.
