We’re fighting to give every child a fair start in maths
30 January 2026
Tom Pugh and Elsie Adeya
Across the world, inequalities in foundational learning are stark. In much of the global North, around 80% of children achieve minimum grade-level proficiency in mathematics. In many parts of the global South, the reverse is true, with close to 80% of children failing to reach this benchmark.
While there has been significant global progress in foundational literacy, progress in numeracy has been slower and more uneven.
This matters, and it is why the Numeracy Research and Development (NRD) exists.Foundational numeracy is not just about learning to calculate; it is about building the cognitive structures that support problem-solving, logical reasoning, and lifelong learning.
When children fall behind in early mathematics, the gap compounds over time, limiting their future ability to engage with the curriculum and undermining their confidence at school and beyond.
The critical importance of early maths skills
Investing in strong numeracy foundations is a high-impact way to improve education. When children grasp core concepts early, they are more likely to stay engaged in school, transition successfully to higher levels of learning, and build skills that translate into real-world capability. Literacy and numeracy go hand in hand.
The ability to read, understand instructions, and engage with written problems directly supports learning in maths and across the curriculum. While NRD is focused on numeracy, it sits within a broader understanding that strong foundational skills in both reading and mathematics are essential building blocks for children’s success.
How the NRD programme Is contributing
The NRD programme - currently working with eight organisations in seven countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Ghana and Zambia) - addresses a persistent gap: the disconnect between what curricula expect children to learn and what many actually do learn. Most countries now have early-grade mathematics curricula in place. The challenge is no longer just defining goals, but ensuring that children achieve them.
A central contribution of NRD has been the development of the Critical Early Numeracy Outcomes (CENOs) - a practical, research-informed framework. The CENOs identify the essential number concepts, skills, and foundational skills that underpin later success in mathematics. Using a practical “working backwards” approach, the team started with Grade 3 expectations from national curricula and worked back to define what children should know by the end of Grades 1 and 2. The result is a clear progression pathway - a roadmap for reaching minimum proficiency by Grade 3.
By investing in research, innovation, and practical implementation, NRD aims to:
Improve classroom maths teaching by supporting clear, structured methods that help children master early numbers and problem-solving - methods that the average teacher can use successfully, even in large classes with few resources.
Support the development of practical learning materials including lesson plans, teacher guides, and assessment tools that are aligned to the CENOs and adapted to local languages, curricula, and classroom realities.
Generate evidence that can inform policy by testing and refining approaches across diverse contexts, translating findings into actionable insights, and supporting governments to align curriculum, assessment, and teaching practice around foundational numeracy.
Language of instruction continues to be a critical theme. As experiences show, structured teaching in numeracy works best when aligned with national language policies. In Senegal, for example, bilingual reforms use national languages to build early mathematical reasoning, while carefully introducing international languages to support, rather than hinder, numeracy learning.
To the future
While still in its early stages, NRD represents a critical step towards addressing one of the most persistent challenges in education systems today. By focusing on foundational learning, and particularly numeracy, the initiative is helping to build a future where children are not just in school, but are truly learning.
At Genesis, this work matters to us because it gets to the heart of what we do: solving big, real-world problems in a way that lasts. The NRD programme is about rolling up our sleeves alongside teachers and governments to change how maths is taught for good - so that the solution works for the one child in a crowded classroom today, and can also work for millions more tomorrow.