How can reading and writing be promoted in Anglophone West Africa? Evidence from new perspective: a word of mouth from experts in basic education

The unintended consequence of primary school enrolment is to reduce illiteracy among pupils; however, increased school enrolment in sub-Sahara Africa yields fewer results of equipping pupils with reading and writing skills as many primary school pupils can hardly read and write. The study explores barriers influencing pupils' poor reading and writing skills and strategies to promote reading and writing using qualitative inquiry. Thus, a semi-structured interview was administered to collect data from experts in primary education from the two most populated countries in West Africa (Ghana and Nigeria) that share similar educational policies, priorities, and challenges. The study's finding indicates that the illiteracy of parents, inadequate school facilities, and lack of community support for reading and writing activities were the fundamental barriers. The study suggests that schools adopt reading promotion tools used in Eastern Asia and Pacific countries as a national strategy. Parental involvement and community support for reading promotion activities should be encouraged, and primary schools should be resourced with reading materials, cheaper internet for schools, and digital learning facilities should be provided, which will make reading and writing less stressful and fun for pupils.