Dr. Wendi Ralaingita is a Senior Education Advisor at RTI International, and the current Principal Investigator for the Science of Teaching grant, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In this conversation she provides a high-level guide for improving the efficacy and delivery of FLN remediation programmes.

Wendi Ralaingita - RTI: A How-to-Guide on Remediation

In this interview ADEA is introduced as an agenda and policy setting body for Africa’s education systems. Chinedu Anarado, communications lead, and Shem Bodo, senior programme officer, present an overview of the outcomes from the 2022 Triennale including on ministerial commitments to achieve stronger resilience for education systems and improve learning outcomes. The conversation outlines ADEA's efforts in the areas of foundational learning and data capacitation, and looks ahead to plans for improved FLN salience ahead of the AU Year of Education in 2024.

Triennale Synthesis Report - https://www.adeanet.org/en/publications/adea-2022-triennale-general-synthesis-report
ICT in Education Report - https://www.adeanet.org/en/publications/synthesis-report-use-ict-education-remote-learning-during-crises
UNESCO GEM Spotlight Report - https://www.unesco.org/gem-report/en/2022-spotlight-africa
AU Learn Platform - https://world-education-blog.org/2022/10/19/a-new-leveraging-education-analysis-for-results-network-learn/
KIX Observatory - https://www.adeanet.org/en/kix-observatory

ADEA - The Watchdog for Africa's Education Systems

Kakula Wandi is a Strategic Education Advisor at VVOB in Uganda. In this episode of the Learning Changes Everything podcast, she speaks with Anjola Folarin about the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Rwenzori project funded by the Hempel Foundation. The project is operating as a catalyst for foundational learning in the Kasese district of Uganda.

Find out more about the VVOB and the Rwenzori project via their website 
-->  https://www.vvob.org/en/programmes/uganda-tarl-rwenzori-foundational-literacy-and-numeracy-primary-learners

Kakula Wandi - Unlocking Foundational Learning in Uganda: The Rwenzori Project

The interview with Richard King will explore the successful outcomes of Education Development Trust's (EDT) large-scale programs which are improving learning outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa. 

The conversation will focus on EDT's programs in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Kenya, highlighting the important lessons learned from implementing them.

Find out more about Education Development Trust and their programmes in sub-Saharan Africa via their website --> https://www.edt.org/sub-saharan-africa/

Richard King - How EDT is Improving Learning Outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa

In this episode, FLN Hub Co-ordinator Anjola Folarin, speaks to Armando Ali, CEO of PAL Network. 

In this conversation, Armando sheds light on the problem with the potential downgrade of SDG 4.1.1a from a Tier 1 to Tier 2 indicator and how it will affect the ability to track progress in improving foundational learning skills or learning outcomes globally. The conversation also spotlights PAL Network's concrete contributions to improving early learning measurement tools and systems, solidifying its position as a champion for this essential practice and the need for comparable data. 

For more information about PAL Network, visit their website -->https://palnetwork.org/ 
For more information about PAL Network's campaign on SDG 4.1.1a --> https://palnetwork.org/4-1-1-a-campaign/

Armando Ali - The Unwavering Case for SDG 4.1.1a as a Tier 1 Goal

In this episode, Anjola Folarin speaks to James Kiawoin, Country Manager at Luminos Fund, Liberia. James sheds light on Luminos Fund's impactful one-year program in Liberia, helping over 24,000 out-of-school children catch up with learning. 

This episode explores the program's success through the lens of a new, rigorous RCT (randomised controlled trial) conducted by IDinsight.

For more information about Luminos Fund, visit their website -->https://luminosfund.org/ 
For more information about Luminos Fund's Liberia Program-->https://luminosfund.org/blog/measuring-transformative-learning-gains-key-findings-from-the-idinsight-rct-of-luminos-liberia-program/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RCT

James Kiawoin - Inside Luminos Fund’s Cost-Effective Catch-Up Program Transforming Lives in Liberia

This episode spotlights Zizi Afrique Foundation's innovative Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP). Virginia Ngindiru, Director, Innovations and Practice at Zizi Afrique Foundation shares about the program which has helped over 25,000 Kenyan children in grades 3-5 catch up on their literacy and numeracy skills. 

For more information about Zizi Afrique Foundation's Accelerated Learning Programme, visit --> https://ziziafrique.org/the-accelerated-learning-program/

The Accelerated Learning series - Zizi Afrique Foundation in Kenya

This episode dives deep into the impactful work of Luminos Fund in Ethiopia. Anjola Folarin speaks to Dr Alex Gebre, Senior Director of Programs, Luminos Fund, Ethiopia. They delve into Luminos Fund’s innovative approach to helping out-of-school children catch up on #foundationalliteracy and #numeracy skills. 

The discussion explores how Luminos Fund is building successful partnerships with the Ethiopian government to scale its accelerated education program, successfully reaching more than 238,308 out-of-school children to date.

Learn more about Luminos Fund here---> https://luminosfund.org/

The Accelerated Learning Series - Luminos Fund in Ethiopia - Dr Alex Hailu Gebre

This episode delves into the challenges and innovative solutions for foundational learning in Uganda. Anjola Folarin speaks to Solomon Kamukama, Senior Program Officer at Teach for Uganda who sheds light on the Combined Activities for Maximized Learning (CAMaL) methodology, a tailored learning approach which Teach for Uganda is using to assess students based on their actual learning levels rather than age or grade. They discuss how CAMaL enhances student engagement, motivation, and holistic development while optimising resource utilisation.

To find out more about Teach for Uganda, visit their website --> https://teachforuganda.org/about-us

Revolutionising Foundational Learning: Teach for Uganda’s CAMaL Approach

In this episode, we delve into the intersection of behavioural science and FLN. Katherine Flaschen, Principal Behavioral Designer, and Carolina Better, Managing Director of Global Development at ideas42, share insights from their recently launched report aimed at helping foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) implementers apply behavioural science to enhance the effectiveness of their programs. 

Katherine and Carolina provide valuable perspectives on how understanding and addressing behavioural barriers can lead to more successful educational interventions and, ultimately, better learning experiences for children.

->How to get in touch with ideas42 by email: globaldev@ideas42.org 
->How to get in touch with ideas42 on social media:
@ideas42 on X 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideas42/ 

-> Contact Katherine on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kflaschen/
-> Contact Carolina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-better-95440a3a/

->Access the Barriers report here:
https://www.ideas42.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/I42-1498_BMGF_SynthesisReport_final.pdf 

Learn more about ideas42's work applying behavioural science to early childhood development and education:
https://www.ideas42.org/global-development/#education

Leveraging Behavioral Science to Improve FLN Programs

In this episode, Shaveta Sharma-Kukreja, CEO and Managing Director of the Central Square Foundation (CSF) sheds light on India's progress in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). She discusses CSF's approach to FLN interventions and how India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat Mission are driving the country's education agenda.

The episode emphasises the critical role of government and ecosystem support in the success of educational programs.

Learn more about Central Square Foundation via their website ->https://www.centralsquarefoundation.org/

Improving Educational Outcomes: Lessons from India

In this episode, Anjola Folarin speaks to Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF’s Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development. Pia recently participated in the UNESCO Global Education Meeting in Brazil, where she moderated a session focused on achieving quality early childhood care and foundational learning under the framework of SDG 4.1 and 4.2. This meeting culminated in the Fortaleza Declaration, which calls for increased collaboration and financing for education to address global learning challenges.

More recently, Pia moderated a key session at the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX) in Rwanda, a gathering of Heads of State, Ministers of Education, policymakers, and education experts. The session, Scaling Foundational Learning: What it Takes and What Works to End the Learning Crisis in Africa, explored practical approaches to overcoming the continent’s education challenges. With South Africa set to assume the G20 presidency, this episode explores how African nations can drive progress in foundational learning, leveraging commitments from global declarations and regional initiatives. Pia shares her reflections from both events and discusses the actionable steps needed to transform education systems across the continent.

Learn more about how UNICEF is improving learning outcomes globally:
-> Vist UNICEF's website: https://www.unicef.org/
->  Follow UNICEF Education on X: https://x.com/UNICEFEducation and on LinkedIn
-> Visit UNICEF's Foundational Learning Resource Hub: https://flnhub.org/

Follow the Hub on social media to stay up-to-date on our activities:
-> LinkedIn: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Hub:
-> X: FLN_Matters: https://x.com/FLN_Matters

Building Foundations: From Brazil to Rwanda, Learning Takes Centre Stage

In this episode, Joseph Nhan-O'Reilly, Executive Director of the International Parliamentary Network for Education (IPNEd), speaks to Anjola Folarin about the growing political momentum around tackling learning poverty. 


With 70% of ten-year-olds in low-and middle-income countries unable to read and understand a simple text, IPNEd's recently launched 'Ensure Every Child Learns' campaign highlights five key actions parliamentarians can take to address this crisis. Joseph will shed light on how MPs can drive systemic change, foster societal collaboration, and ensure every child has the foundational skills needed for lifelong learning and success.


For more information about IPNEd, visit their ⁠website -> https://www.ipned.org/
Read ⁠⁠IPNEd's 5-point Action Plan for Parliamentarians⁠ -> https://www.ipned.org/news-and-views/ensure-every-child-learns


To stay updated on the FLN Hub's activities, follow us on:
⁠LinkedIn:⁠ Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Hub
⁠X: FLN_Matters


How We Can End Learning Poverty: A Look at IPNEd’s 5-Point Plan

The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Hub (FLN Hub) is a group of advocates, researchers, donors, foundations and African and multilateral institutions working to solve the learning crisis in Africa, which has left 9 out of 10 African children unable to read with understanding by the age of ten.

Learning Changes Everything

Popular tracks