Missed it? 📢 On @voxdev.bsky.social Talks, @talknormal.co.uk & @geeap.bsky.social panelist @benlpiper.bsky.social discuss how to solve the global reading crisis - and what evidence-based instruction can achieve. 🎧 voxdev.org/topic/educat... Read the GEEAP-endorsed literacy report: bit.ly/4pVfIw9

This #IDE2026, a new insight note from Mettalytics, @wwhglobaled.bsky.social & the Gates Foundation shows what’s at stake: if 90% of children could read by age 10, universal #FoundationalLearning could add an estimated $196T to global GDP between 2031–2050. That’s trillions, not billions.

📢 New 🎙️ @benlpiper.bsky.social, @geeap.bsky.social panellist - explains why ineffective reading instruction is at the heart of the learning crisis, & how evidence-based approaches can transform outcomes @voxdev.bsky.social on the global reading crisis 🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/3YELmC4

🆕 How to solve the global reading crisis 📢 Today on #VoxDevTalks, @benlpiper.bsky.social (Gates Foundation) discusses how effective reading instruction can transform learning outcomes in developing countries: voxdev.org/topic/educat...

Today, ADQ and the Gates Foundation launched a new US$40M partnership to advance responsible #AI & #EdTech for #FoundationalLearning. Learn more: www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-...

Huge congrats to Mamadou Amadou Ly on the 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Development — powerful recognition of his leadership advancing equitable education across West Africa. His work shows how mother-tongue instruction can drive learning outcomes for children globally.

It was great to talk with Ecofin Agency at the #ADEATriennale2025. Read to learn more about how countries are making real progress through political commitment, domestic budget allocation, and clear learning targets: www.ecofinagency.com/insights/191...

When the new evidence on reading from diverse contexts points in the same direction, we should pay attention. The new GEEAP report synthesizes ~150 studies on effective reading instruction from LMICs covering 165+ languages. Join the launch webinar on Dec 4 at 9am ET bit.ly/3Khlhp8

Historic news from #G20SouthAfrica: #IBSALeaders (India, Brazil, South Africa) commit to establish the IBSA Network for Quality #FoundationalLearning – centering learning outcomes for every child. Excited to see momentum grow under SA’s IBSA Presidency next year. acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...

ADEA is seeking a Founding Executive Director to shape and lead FLIGHT, a new catalytic funding initiative to support African governments to implement proven foundational learning interventions at scale. Learn more: adeanet.org/en/call-appl...

Honored to join ADEA at the #ADEATriennale2025 to discuss the new GEEAP endorsed report and its implications not just for literacy outcomes, but the potential for economic development if implemented properly. Listen to the podcast here: www.adeanet.org/en/podcasts/...

Just back from an intense week in Accra with ADEA, partners, and leaders in global education from across Africa. Don’t miss my takeaways and where we can go with the commitments shared at the #ADEATriennale2025. www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...

FLIGHT, the Foundational Learning Initiative for Government-led Transformation, empowers African Ministers of Education with tools and networks to strengthen their efforts to improve #FoundationalLearning – centering local leadership for lasting impact. media.licdn.com/dms/document...

#OutNow: The new report on effective reading instruction from GEEAP provides compelling guidance on how children learn to read and how to teach them most effectively. Evidence-based teaching matters. documents.worldbank.org/en/publicati...

The Gates Foundation Global Education team is off to Accra for the ADEA #Triennale2025. Join us and partners at the following sessions to hear about #FoundationalLearning progress and the programs that are improving learning outcomes across the continent.

Glad to see Mamadou Amadou Ly and ARED recognized in @devex.com. We’re proud to partner on their work in bilingual education so more kids get high-quality instruction in a language they understand. www.devex.com/news/how-bil...

Last month, I joined a partners visit to India and learned how the national education mission has led to measurable improvements in learning outcomes. With strong political will, prioritization and accountability, large-scale reform is an achievable goal.

At the #UNGA80 #DisruptToDeliver event, it was clear that there is strong commitment to improve learning outcomes. Smarter spending and a laser focus on foundational skills are the way forward. knowledgehub.adeanet.org/en/elibrary/...

Since USAID’s closure @datafirst.bsky.social's AFLEARN data hub has worked to preserve essential education data from over 43 countries, representing over 20 years of evidence. Great to see partners working together to address challenges imposed by aid cuts: www.datafirst.uct.ac.za/aflearn/data...

Congratulations to Mamadou Amadou Ly, ARED's Executive Director, for being awarded the Yidan Prize for education development. ARED’s work highlights the critical role of mother tongue instruction in equitably driving foundational learning outcomes yidanprize.org/laureates/ma...

It's time to rethink how we fund global education. Flexible, strategic donor investments designed to align with local priorities leads to impact. Let’s invest in what works. Read more from a recent op-ed written by myself and Hon. Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima: newafricanmagazine.com/31035/

Thanks ADEA for having me on their podcast series. I am inspired by education colleagues and ministers that have decided to prioritize learning and dedicate domestic funding to ensure students gain foundational skills. Listen here: creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...

A new analysis underscores the threat of shrinking education aid. We must pivot existing resources toward evidence-based foundational learning programs that unlock millions in GDP growth, higher earnings, and employment opportunities. Learn more: www.cgdev.org/blog/precari...

I’m joining Gates colleagues, as well as grantees and partners this week at #UKFIET2025. This event offers a great opportunity for knowledge sharing that builds on the momentum we’re seeing from African governments prioritizing #FoundationalLearning given its huge returns.

Pleased to share the new communications toolkit on #FoundationalLearning, packed with practical, evidence-based strategies to help governments, educators, and partners engage new audiences. Explore it here: www.imidibaniso.co.za/wp-content/u...

New in @voxdev.bsky.social, I joined @noamangrist.bsky.social, Pia Britto, @gamblingondev.bsky.social, Michelle Kaffenberger, and @deankarlan.bsky.social on the impact of funding cuts and what we can do to continue progress despite them. voxdev.org/topic/educat...

Just wrapped a powerful week in India with the Global Coalition for Foundational Learning. Grateful to hear from the experts implementing #FoundationalLearning programs and to see the effects of strong government leadership. More from Human Capital Africa: www.linkedin.com/posts/human-...

🆕 Doing more with less: Why foreign aid should prioritise foundational learning now By @noamangrist.bsky.social @blavatnikschool.bsky.social, Pia Britto @unicef.org, @gamblingondev.bsky.social, Michelle Kaffenberger @wwhglobaled.bsky.social, @deankarlan.bsky.social & @benlpiper.bsky.social ⤵️

When teachers are supported and engaged in #FoundationalLearning, children’s learning outcomes notably improve. Looking forward to the discussions at @unesco.org’s World Summit on Teachers and the commitments that emerge.

In the wake of reduced development aid, we must support domestic resource mobilization, make #FoundationalLearning skills a top priority, and use data to fund what works. Coordinated global education financing ensures that students get the quality education they deserve.

New data from @cgdev.org shows that investing in #FoundationalLearning provides major economic returns for #LMICs. Kudos to the many governments, donors, and education leaders who prioritize investment in foundational skills for prosperous futures. Read more: www.cgdev.org/blog/childre...

I was honored to speak with @devex.com on why #FoundationalLearning is one of the smartest investments governments can make for economic growth – and how the Gates Foundation is committed to supporting their path to scale-up. Read the article here: www.devex.com/news/gates-f...

📚📊 NEW @cgdev.org RESEARCH: Children who master basic reading and math in primary school earn significantly more as adults. Evidence that foundational literacy and numeracy skills have real economic returns throughout life.

Kids who gain reading and math skills stay in school longer, have more job opportunities, earn more, and live healthier lives. This #WorldYouthSkillsDay, let’s implement proven solutions to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life. #WYSD2025

Education is the foundation of sustainable development, but we need better financing systems to create impact on the national level. A new joint statement shares steps to help every dollar spent on education financing strengthen education systems. www.globalpartnership.org/news/stateme...

The African Union's new CESA strategy includes #FoundationalLearning for the first time. We have extensive evidence on how to improve learning and an opportunity to align efforts across the continent. Together we can build a future-ready generation in Africa: au.int/sites/defaul...

A look at the chaotic two weeks in which the Trump aides shut down USAID, with no idea what they were doing or what the consequences would be. E.g. Trump's claim that USAID was paying for condoms for Hamas when it was family planning for Gaza province in Mozambique. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/u...

Zambia is a prime example of the difference government support can make when implementing #FoundationalLearning programs. Now it’s time for more countries to follow suit. bit.ly/4dxP2w6

Improving #FoundationalLearning is the first step to achieving national development goals. On @voxdev.bsky.social, I spoke about how the Gates Foundation's global education strategy supports governments to prioritize, and boost learning outcomes at scale. Listen: voxdev.org/topic/educat...

🆕 Why we need to invest in foundational learning 📢 Today on VoxDevTalks, @benlpiper.bsky.social (Gates Foundation) discusses foundational learning and the future of global education: voxdev.org/topic/educat...

"Education is economic. Investing in foundational skills like literacy & numeracy unlocks potential & drives prosperity." When every child learns, it fuels economic growth says Sierra Leone’s Conrad Sackey. Read more: go.ipned.org/77sn54 @benlpiper.bsky.social @gemreport.bsky.social

Governments, educators and global development partners: ACT NOW! Foundational learning is not just about education – it’s about securing our future. 📍📖 Read the clarion call for efficient and sustainable solutions to achieve foundational learning: www.wwhge.org/resources/a-...

Global education is at a crossroads – decades of learning crisis now slammed by a fiscal crunch. @benlpiper.bsky.social Luis Benveniste & @noamangrist.bsky.social have issued a clarion call to governments and stakeholders in the global education ecosystem. 📍 www.wwhge.org/resources/a-...

Excellent piece by @danagoldstein.bsky.social about how both parties have walked away from efforts to improve student learning. We're caught in culture wars set in schools, but much less focused on whether kids can read and whether they graduate from high school. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/u...

📣 With a growing fiscal crunch, we have launched a compendium of resources at @wwhglobaled.bsky.social focused on efficient & sustainable solutions w/ the World Bank & Gates. Please share your best ideas & examples to be featured in the compendium @benlpiper.bsky.social www.wwhge.org/resources/a-...

I joined the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Hub’s podcast to discuss why #FoundationalLearning still matters, why it is one of the smartest investments countries can make for economic development and how the Gates Foundation’s Global Education strategy is evolving. Listen now: bit.ly/4joVqYF

As global aid budgets tighten, a high-impact solution lies in the simplest of places: a typical rural classroom where a young child learns to read and do math. #FoundationalLearning is a catalytic investment for economic growth and national development. www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...

This #WorldBookDay I’m grateful to work with so many experts who share my dedication to #FoundationalLearning to implement high-impact programs for children in Africa and India, making sure every child has the chance to experience the thrill that only a good book can bring.

Global economies and nations cannot prosper if we do not prioritize #FoundationalLearning for coming generations. It is time for countries to invest in foundational learning to promote global development and set national economies on the path to prosperity. #WBGMeetings

AI has the potential to drive innovation and improve skills across Africa—and that begins in the classroom. AI-based education solutions can help children gain #FoundationalSkills, become productive members of the workforce, and contribute to national economies. #GAISAfrica2025