Before NewGlobe partnered with Edo State to launch the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) program in 2018, the education system faced significant challenges that affected learning outcomes across schools. Learning levels were critically low: nearly 1 in 4 children aged 5-16 were illiterate, and 1 in 5 innumerate. Absenteeism was rampant, with students missing an average of 6.9 days of school per month—equivalent to 44% of school time lost. The primary school completion rate stood at 45%, well below the national average of 68% for Nigeria and drastically lower than the 98% average for OECD countries. Moreover, there was widespread disparity in resource allocation, with children in under-resourced schools falling behind their peers in more well endowed schools.

Addressing the system-wide crisis in Edo State required more than isolated interventions.  Recognising this, the Edo State leadership partnered with NewGlobe  to develop a  comprehensive solution that could elevate the quality of education across all public schools, equitably and at scale. Thus, the EdoBEST programme was born. 

The Solution: Structured Pedagogy and Technology for Uniformity and Scale

The EdoBEST programme is closely aligned with the principles of ‘structured pedagogy’, which broadly includes structured lesson plans, learning materials, and ongoing teacher support- a methodology considered to be a “great buy” for governments by entities such as The World Bank and UNICEF.  

Proven and Effective Strategies for Teaching and Learning 

The EdoBEST model equips every teacher with sequenced, national curriculum-aligned lesson plans delivered via digital tablets. The lesson plans are developed using cutting-edge research in the science of learning, while digital tablets  enable high-quality instruction across all schools, regardless of resource disparities. Through regular coaching and professional development, teachers receive tailored support that empowers them to implement reforms effectively. This comprehensive approach not only ensures that uniform and high-quality content is taught across all classrooms, but also ensures that the content is delivered well by teachers who are equipped to address the diverse learning needs of their students.

Leveraging Technology for Efficiency at Scale

Technology is a core enabler of scale in the EdoBEST program, playing a pivotal role in every aspect of its approach, both inside and outside the classroom. Through digital tools, real-time data is captured for key performance metrics such as student and teacher attendance, lesson completion rate, and student performance, empowering schools to quickly identify and address learning gaps. This data-driven, tech-enabled system ensures that educational delivery remains consistent and responsive, adapting seamlessly to the specific needs of each school and student. By leveraging technology at every level, the program has  created a more agile, impactful, and scalable model for education reform.

Innovating to Address On-ground Challenges 

In schools where teacher shortages and geographical isolation are common, EdoBEST further innovated by implementing a mixed-grade teaching model. This allows one teacher to deliver levelled content to combined classrooms, improving learning outcomes even in the most resource-constrained settings.

Impact: Scaling Success Across the State

Since the launch of EdoBEST, the program has shown significant improvements in student outcomes across the state. Within just a term of program implementation, Primary 3 EdoBEST students scored six percentage points higher in mathematics and seven percentage points higher in English Literacy compared to peers in non-EdoBEST schools. One of the most significant outcomes of EdoBEST has been the increase in student enrollment and retention. With structured pedagogy in place and consistent lesson delivery, more parents have shown trust in the public education system, leading to a 61% growth in enrollment in lower primary grades since the program’s inception. The program has also helped improve the transition from primary to junior secondary school, with children staying in school longer and continuing their education.

  The system’s ability to leverage technology and real-time data has enabled schools to track progress more effectively and make evidence-based decisions that support both teachers and students. The program’s data-driven approach has allowed teachers to quickly identify students who may be falling behind and provide targeted interventions to help them catch up. This has been particularly important in ensuring that the most vulnerable students, including those from under-resourced schools, are not left behind.

The system has trained over 16,000 teachers and is directly impacting over 380,000 primary and junior secondary students. These numbers are a testament to the scalable nature of the interventions deployed through EdoBEST.

The Future of EdoBEST: Ensuring Continuity and Sustainability/ Inspiring Action

Through the EdoBEST program, NewGlobe has strengthened the institutional capacity of Edo State to meet the evolving needs of its public education system.With the transition to a new leadership in the state,  continued focus on scalability, data-driven reforms, and technology-enabled solutions will be essential to ensure that the progress achieved through EdoBEST is not only maintained but expanded to reach even more students. 

Leveraging structured pedagogy and technology for efficiency and scale, EdoBEST has shown that comprehensive education reform is possible, offering a model for system-wide impact in developing regions. By streamlining lesson delivery and supporting teachers with real-time data, NewGlobe is bridging gaps between schools to ensure all students receive the education they deserve. This scalable model now serves as a blueprint for other regions aiming to improve educational outcomes on a large scale, demonstrating that with the right tools and strategies, sustainable system-wide reform is both achievable and impactful.