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

For years, global education experts have talked about "structured pedagogy" as one cost-effective solution for the learning crisis. But what exactly IS it? www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... Great overview from @BenLPiper and Dubeck

Come work with Global Education at Gates Foundation. I'm looking for a talented & experienced leader with technical knowledge, field experience, and a strategic lens. The Deputy Director role will lead innovation, research and country work. gatesfoundation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Gates/...

I am at the #CIES2025 Annual Conference this week – joining my Gates Foundation colleagues, as well as several of our grantees and partners, to discuss evidence and lessons learned in our collective effort to improve #FoundationalLearning.

@charlesjkenny.bsky.social & @justsand.bsky.social estimate that US foreign aid saves 3.3 million lives per year. What happens when that aid is paused? Visualize the impacts of the #USAID freeze through their work with Nicholas Kristof in @nytopinion.nytimes.com: nyti.ms/3RkPT8Y

Elon Musk says that no one has died because he slashed humanitarian aid. I went to South Sudan to check if that's true. It's not. Meet Peter, Achol and Evan, ages 10, 8 and 5. The reckless actions of the world's richest men are killing the world's poorest kids www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

As we reflect on the AU #YearofEducation and look to a new era for international development in the Decade of Action on Education, we must focus on what we know drives progress to improve #FoundationalLearning outcomes. Read more: www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam... #SDG4

The urgency of improving #FoundationalLearning is clear: without reading and math skills, children face an uphill battle in school and life. Read more: newafricanmagazine.com/30738/ #HumanCapitalAfrica #TaRLAfrica #ADEA #FLNHub

Prosperity for women and girls starts with foundational skills, driving economic development and creating brighter futures for people everywhere. Investing in #FoundationalLearning for girls is an investment in the future of nations everywhere. #IWD2025 www.cgdev.org/publication/...

We must give teachers the instructional support they need to improve #FoundationalLearning outcomes, including high quality materials. It was great to see this evidence-based practice in action in #SouthAfrica. Read more about my visit here: www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...

"These gains, small & spread out, aren’t going to make a ton of headlines. But they are still a great use of money, and make plenty of sense on a dollar-for-dollar basis."📝 @leecrawfurd.bsky.social explains why the US should continue to invest in global education ⬇ www.cgdev.org/blog/why-us-...

A huge decision from Judge Amir Ali, meticulously reasoned and utterly scathing, finding that Trump’s foreign aid freeze is almost certainly an illegal and arbitrary abuse of power. He orders the immediate restoration of all international assistance. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25...

Matt is often right but I think he's wrong to say US aid for girl's education is not valuable, here's why www.cgdev.org/blog/why-us-...

I had the opportunity to discuss implementing #FoundationalLearning interventions at scale at TaRL Africa’s 5th Anniversary Conference. Read about our insights on how to best scale interventions to benefit the most children: www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...

📣 New blog on our panel on implementation challenges @ scale (+some solutions!) at the Teaching at the Right Level Africa 5-year event in Nairobi. Reflections below👇 www.wwhge.org/resources/si... @benlpiper.bsky.social @j-pal.bsky.social @blavatnikschool.bsky.social @gatesfoundation.bsky.social

Today, on #InternationalDayofEducation, I want to recognize the programs and partners that work to transform education like FasterMath, a numeracy initiative from Rising Academies in Sierra Leone. Learn more about the program here: www.linkedin.com/posts/benjam...

#EdTech innovations expand the reach of what AI-based tools can achieve in education. With careful thought, design, and guiding principles we can implement high-quality AI solutions for all students and teachers. www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/articl...

Everything I do as a researcher is driven by this picture. I was in the 5% of low-inc kids born in 60s who got a BA.

Two take-aways from our RCT follow-up on EGRS in South Africa: 1) Clear long-term (to Grade 7) effects of an early grade reading intervention. 2) Initial impacts in foundational skills (fluency) translate to longer-term impacts in higher-order skills (comprehension). #RTIFellow bit.ly/4j6ygGR

This looks like an amazing job - Research Director at Prevail! bit.ly/41HHy5T