July 19, 2026The third day of the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX) 2026 brought the conference to a close, with the IECD UNESCO Category 2 delegation participating in the Closing Ceremony.
Held under the theme “From Commitments to Results: Delivering Foundational Learning at Scale,” the third edition of FLEX brought together more than 700 participants from across Africa and beyond.
Prior to the Closing Ceremony, delegates from various African ministries shared reflections from school visits conducted during the conference. Their observations highlighted significant challenges affecting education systems in Malawi, including children learning while seated on the floor, inadequate school infrastructure, limited teaching and learning resources, insufficient financing and high teacher-to-learner ratios of approximately 1:65 to 1:71. Delegates called for increased investment in education, stronger support for teachers and greater prioritisation of the needs of schools to improve learning outcomes. Despite the challenges observed, they commended teachers for their dedication, passion and commitment to ensuring that children continue to learn under difficult circumstances.
During the conference, the IECD delegation actively engaged with participants of the Regional Workshop hosted by IECD in Seychelles, as well as with diverse education stakeholders from across the continent. These interactions created a valuable platform for exchanging experiences and sharing best practices in foundational learning and early childhood development.
The delegation also seized the opportunity to raise awareness of the Institute’s mandate and activities as a UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to early childhood care and education. Distributing the Institute’s branded materials and informational resources helped highlight its important work in the early years and enhanced its visibility among international education stakeholders and networks.
IECD’s participation in FLEX 2026 has underscore the critical importance of prioritizing foundational learning and early childhood development as essential drivers of transforming education across Africa. The UNESCO Category 2 Institute, dedicated exclusively to early childhood care and education, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advocating for high-quality care and development from birth, recognizing that early years are the foundation for lifelong learning and sustainable development.
The fourth edition of FLEX is scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 2027, marking the next rendezvous for the African Foundational Learning Exchange.
