Solving Africa’s Literacy and Numeracy Crisis
We work with governments and foundational learning organizations to equip teachers to deliver evidence-based Differentiated Learning simply and effectively at scale, so every child can read, write and solve basic maths with confidence by age 10.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 9 out of 10 children can not read a simple story or solve basic maths with comprehension by age 10.
Millions of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are moving through school without mastering the foundational literacy and numeracy skills they need to keep learning. We want to change that so every child has the chance to learn, thrive and participate fully in life.
The solution
Differentiated Learning helps children who are struggling with foundational literacy and numeracy by teaching them at their actual learning level rather than their grade. Foundations First equips teachers to use this approach to ensure every child can read, write and solve basic maths with confidence by age 10.
Train and coach teachers
Teachers are trained to assess, group and deliver targeted instructions, with ongoing coaching and feedback to strengthen their practice.
Assess
Students are regularly assessed using simple, practical tools to identify their current learning level and track their progress.
Group by learning level
Students are grouped by their learning level rather than grade, allowing teachers to work with children at the right level.
Targeted instructions
Teachers deliver instruction matched to each group’s level, using simple, engaging activities to build foundational skills step by step.
Differentiated Learning is one of the most cost-effective education interventions ever studied.
One of education’s “Great Buys.”
Targeted instruction is recommended as one of the most cost-effective approaches for improving learning.
Proven across different contexts.
Evidence from randomized evaluations across 46 countries shows that teaching children at their learning level can produce large learning gains.
4 extra years of quality schooling per $100.
Research across countries shows that targeted instruction can deliver up to four additional years of high-quality schooling for every $100 spent.
“You know your pupils. We bring simple tools and steady support so you can teach every child at their level.”
Starting in Kenya. Building for scale.
We are working in 10 public primary schools in Kajiado, where we have trained 35 teachers to deliver Differentiated Learning to more than 1,450 children.
We are using this first implementation to learn what it takes to make Differentiated Learning simple and practical for teachers to deliver consistently in public schools.
Our goal is to work alongside the Ministry of Education to develop an implementation model that can eventually be integrated into and delivered through the public education system.
Public primary schools
Teachers trained
Children reached
Where we started
Build the foundations with us.
We received a seed funding of $176,000 after graduating from the Charity Entrepreneurship program to launch our pilot across 20-30 schools in Kenya. Reach out to us to hear more about the pilot.