We continued our work with partners to unlock data and increase data use across three countries: Kenya, Cameroon, and Malawi. To deepen understanding of foundational learning in Kenya, Unlocking Data Initiative (UDI) developed a policy brief that provides a nuanced analysis of the country’s foundational learning ecosystem. The brief identifies key stakeholders, systemic barriers, and opportunities for strengthening learning outcomes. By synthesizing existing evidence and policy frameworks, the document serves as a strategic resource for education policymakers, advocating for targeted interventions where evidence is most needed.
Significant strides were made in evidence generation through the creation of:
- A Kenya-specific Foundational Learning Evidence Gap Map, which systematically identifies where research and data are lacking, helping prioritize future studies and investments.
- A cross-country report covering Kenya, Cameroon, and Malawi, which offers a comparative perspective on foundational learning evidence gaps. This report supports regional collaboration and shared learning to address common challenges in education systems.
As part of capacity-building efforts, the Graduate Associate Program engages PhD students in research and policy analysis. One of the associates developed a blog post to disseminate findings from the Evidence Gap Map, making complex research accessible to a broader audience. This initiative not only enhances research visibility but also nurtures the next generation of education researchers and policymakers.





