Programmes to Support Foundational Learning in South Asia

Despite great achievements in improving school enrolment and completion levels in South Asia, a high proportion of learners continue to live in learning poverty, with approximately 50 per cent of learners unable to read or understand a simple text by age ten (UNICEF, 2021). Learning levels were severely impacted by large scale school closures as a result of Covid-19, with approximately 434 million learners impacted in the region (UNICEF, 2021). Improving foundational learning outcomes, particularly for the most marginalised, is a key policy priority for many South Asian countries. This report draws together learning from seven programmes in South Asia aimed at improving foundational learning, to provide insight into effective approaches that have previously or continue to have an impact on foundational learning levels.