New Literacy Paper Spotlights Urgent Need for Evidence-to-Policy Transformation to Address Global Learning Poverty

A new literacy paper calling for urgent evidence-based action to address gaps in learning has been highlighted at an education conference in Embu.

The paper, which was previewed ahead of its official launch later in the year at the ongoing 6th Biennial Education Evidence for Action (EE4A) and EDF-Kenya Conference at the University of Embu, recommends immediate translation of evidence-based information into government policies for implementation in classrooms to address global learning poverty.

The literacy paper has been produced by the What Works Hub for Global Education (WWHGE), with the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) and the British Council as core partners.

It highlights that:

• Foundational literacy is essential – without it, children are locked out of future learning opportunities.

• We know what works – structured pedagogy, teacher professional development, and targeted interventions can dramatically improve outcomes at scale.

• Partnerships accelerate impact – by linking global evidence with local policy and classroom practice, governments and partners can achieve sustainable learning gains.

EE4A (Education Evidence for Action) is a biennial conference and initiative that bridges the gap between education research and decision-making in the education sector, with Zizi AfriqueFoundation playing a key role as the organizer and host of the EE4A conference, where education stakeholders and researchers gather to deliberate on critical issues and inform policy and practice.

What Works Hub for Global Education: From Evidence → Policy → Classrooms

The What Works Hub for Global Education is an international partnership, funded by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Gates Foundation, working out how to effectively implement education reforms at scale. This collaborative initiative comprises 12 strategic partners and 43 consortium partners, convened by the Blavatnik School of Government, the programme’s host institution.

At the conference, WWHGE convened education leaders in a session titled “Strengthening the Evidence Ecosystem: Building a Roadmap for Education Reform in Kenya.” The Hub emphasised its mission: to take rigorous global evidence, such as the GEEAP Literacy Paper, and ensure it moves into government policy and ultimately into classrooms.

Through collaboration with ministries, teacher training institutions, and local organisations, WWHGE is helping countries translate recommendations into practical reforms that directly shape how teachers teach and how learners acquire foundational skills.

LL4GE: Preparing Learners for Life and Work

The British Council’s Learning and Life for Global Education (LL4GE) initiative also featured at the conference. LL4GE integrates literacy, language, and life skills to provide young people with both academic and social competencies, equipping them for future employment, resilience, and active citizenship.

Together, WWHGE (with GEEAP), the British Council, and LL4GE represent a powerful synergy: advancing literacy through both policy-to-classroom reforms and holistic learner development.

Looking Ahead

The What Works Hub for Global Education, working with GEEAP, the British Council, and other partners, will now take forward the Literacy Paper’s recommendations by embedding evidence into national reform agendas and supporting governments to implement them in classrooms at scale. This marks the next phase of WWHGE’s mission: ensuring that every child, regardless of context, benefits from proven strategies to acquire foundational literacy and learning skills.

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