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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 1d

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/...

Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 5d

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...

Data Access | University of Cape Town

Address the current gap in accessible African foundational learning data

www.datafirst.uct.ac.za

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 7d

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...

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 15d

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/

Smart solutions needed to finance foundational learning - New African Magazine

It is time to refashion finance and strategy to equip every child with the foundational skills to learn, earn, and lead, because the future for all of us depends on it. Across many low- and middle-inc...

newafricanmagazine.com

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 16d

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/...

Financing pathways to sustain gains in foundational learning in Africa by ADEA Podcast Series

Since the bold commitment African Ministers of Education made in Kigali last November, to ending learning poverty within a decade, the ecosystem has experienced resource instability following cutbacks...

creators.spotify.com

Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 19d

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...

The Precarity of Aid for Basic Education and What To Do About It

Global aid is entering a period of retrenchment. After a decade of expansion, budget announcements for 2025 point to cuts across major donors, driven by fiscal tightening and competing domestic and in...

www.cgdev.org

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 21d

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.

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 27d

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...

www.imidibaniso.co.za

Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · 29d

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...

Doing more with less: Why foreign aid should prioritise foundational learning now

Cuts to global education funding will forgo at least $100 billion in lifetime earnings. Supporting national governments to leverage domestic financing to improve foundational learning should be a prio...

voxdev.org

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Sep 5

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-...

This week, the Global Coalition for Foundational Learning, joined by African partners such as Human Capital Africa (HCA) and ADEA, is in India to learn from India’s reforms and strengthen… | Human Ca...

This week, the Global Coalition for Foundational Learning, joined by African partners such as Human Capital Africa (HCA) and ADEA, is in India to learn from India’s reforms and strengthen South–South...

www.linkedin.com

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Reposted by Benjamin Piper

VoxDev @voxdev.bsky.social · Sep 3

🆕 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 ⤵️

Doing more with less: Why foreign aid should prioritise foundational learning now

Cuts to global education funding will forgo at least $100 billion in lifetime earnings. Supporting national governments to leverage domestic financing to improve foundational learning should be a prio...

voxdev.org

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Aug 27

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.

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Aug 14

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.

NORRAG @norrag.bsky.social · Jul 31

This week's blog calls for the urgent streamlining and modernisation of the multilateral global education architecture.
Nicholas Burnett lays out 10 priorities for both country and global level.

Read it now 📝 buff.ly/yqQb9GK

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Aug 1

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...

Children Who Can Read and Count at Age Ten Earn More Later in Life: New Evidence from Indonesia

Children with stronger foundational reading and math skills go on to earn about 11 percent more as adults, even after accounting for family background and years of schooling. These skills offer value ...

www.cgdev.org

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Jul 29

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...

Gates Foundation doubles down on education as other donors scale back

Gates Foundation's Global Education Director Benjamin Piper lays out the what, why, and how of the philanthropic organization's approach to supporting foundational learning in sub-Saharan Africa and I...

www.devex.com

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Reposted by Benjamin Piper

Lee Crawfurd @leecrawfurd.bsky.social · Jul 16

📚📊 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.

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Jul 16

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

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Jul 11

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...

Statement to FFD4 on financing education for development: Building the future: A renewed global compact for sustainable financing of education | Global Partnership for Education

Statement from representatives of governments, public development banks, philanthropic organizations, international institutions, civil society, and the business sector on the occasion of the 4th Inte...

www.globalpartnership.org

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Jul 7

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...

au.int

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Reposted by Benjamin Piper

Nick Kristof @nickkristof.bsky.social · Jun 23

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...

Missteps, Confusion and ‘Viral Waste’: The 14 Days That Doomed U.S.A.I.D.

www.nytimes.com

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Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Jun 16

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

Zambia launches the End Learning Poverty for All in Africa Campaign “Read, Write, Count: Foundation4Life” | African Union

bit.ly

Benjamin Piper @benlpiper.bsky.social · Jun 13

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

While access to schooling has improved globally, learning outcomes remain shockingly poor—particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. How can foundational learning help bridge this gap?

voxdev.org

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Reposted by Benjamin Piper

VoxDev @voxdev.bsky.social · Jun 11

🆕 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...

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Reposted by Benjamin Piper

International Parliamentary Network for Education @ipned.bsky.social · May 26

"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

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Reposted by Benjamin Piper

What Works Hub for Global Education @wwhglobaled.bsky.social · May 15

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-...

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