Learning Poverty in South Asia and its Implications on Educational Policy.

Learning poverty remains one of the most pressing challenges facing South Asia, with far-reaching implications for educational outcomes, human capital development, and economic progress. Despite significant improvements in school enrollment, millions of children continue to struggle with foundational literacy and numeracy skills, limiting their future opportunities and deepening educational inequalities. In this seminar, Dr. Javed Ahmed Malik, Team Leader at ILMpact British Council, explores the drivers of learning poverty across South Asia, its impact on education systems, and the policy interventions needed to improve foundational learning outcomes. The discussion highlights the importance of evidence-based reforms, effective teaching practices, and targeted investments to build more inclusive and resilient education systems. The session was moderated by Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Associate Professor, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). Moderator: Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Associate Professor, PIDE Speaker: Dr. Javed Ahmed Malik, Team Leader, ILMpact British Council #PIDE #EducationPolicy #LearningPoverty #SouthAsia #HumanCapital #EducationalReform #LearningPoverty #EducationPolicy #SouthAsia #PIDE #EducationReform #HumanCapital #FoundationalLearning #QualityEducation #EducationalDevelopment #FutureOfEducation