I think it relates to a deficiency in education or learning opportunities for individual in various contexts. There could be a variety of reasons and/or influencers of this. This can include socio-economic, political, cultural, geographical and other factors. The consequences however of learning poverty can/may be detrimental to a country’s economy and knowledge base. Hence Government and related leadership must ensure that education becomes affordable, accessible and mandatory for all.

Learning poverty Alwielland Q. Bello is a term that refers to the condition in which children are unable to read and understand a simple text by a certain age, typically by the end of primary school. It captures the gap between education access and educational quality, highlighting a significant issue in many countries where, despite enrollment in schools, children are not acquiring the basic literacy and numeracy skills they need.

The concept of learning poverty is important for understanding the broader implications of educational deficits, as it reflects not only access to education but also the effectiveness of the education systems in providing quality learning experiences. It is often measured along with other factors such as socio-economic background, school resources, and teaching quality.

Efforts to reduce learning poverty focus on improving teaching methods, providing additional support to students, and addressing systemic inequalities that affect learning outcomes. The goal is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to develop fundamental skills that are crucial for their future personal and professional success.