Many countries have committed to foundational learning under global initiatives like Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims for inclusive, equitable quality education. However, progress has been uneven, and an accountability mechanism like the Foundational Learning Action Tracker is crucial to track actions and ensure governments meet their commitments.

Without reliable data on foundational learning policies and practices, it’schallenging to identify gaps, allocate resources effectively, and implement evidence-based interventions. The Action Tracker provides a clear framework for evaluating progress across key dimensions of education systems.

The newest data from the Foundational Learning Action Tracker shows that governments in low- and middle-income countries are taking action to address this learning crisis. 

Key insights from the Foundational Learning Action Tracker include:

1. Overall efforts on foundational learning have remained largely unchanged, with only around 1 in 10 countries showing substantial improvements in their FLAT ratings since 2024. While many governments have policies in place to address the learning crisis, these have yet to translate into meaningful improvements in classroom practice and learning outcomes. Without more urgent, system-wide action, millions of children will continue to be denied foundational learning.
2. Assessment systems continue to strengthen. About 7 in 10 countries report using learning assessment data to inform national education policies and planning. However, fewer than half of countries report using assessment data to inform classroom practices across all schools, with little progress since 2024.
3. Teacher support remains a major bottleneck. Only around half of countries report nationwide implementation of key measures such as structured pedagogy or teacher assessment support. As teacher quality remains one of the strongest drivers of learning, greater investment in supporting teachers is essential.
4. Uptake of evidence-based interventions continues to increase. Around half of countries now report providing coordinated support packages to strengthen classroom teaching nationwide, compared to only a quarter of countries in 2023.
5. Despite this progress, targeted instruction—one of the most effective approaches for helping children catch up on learning—has been scaled nationwide in fewer than a third of countries. Accelerating the implementation of proven approaches such as targeted instruction will be critical to improving foundational learning outcomes at scale.

Advocating for data-based action is essential to improving foundational learning globally. Through our partnership with UNICEF, we are working to ensure that reliable data becomes a driving force for education policies and investments. By convening key stakeholders at global events - such as our joint event at UNGA 2024 - we bring attention to the critical role of data in addressing the learning crisis.

At these platforms, we highlight proven approaches, share insights, and advocate for evidence-based solutions that can be scaled to achieve measurable impact. By promoting data-driven decision-making, we empower governments, organizations, and educators to prioritize foundational learning, turning evidence into action and ensuring no child is left behind.

Collaboration is at the core of driving change. The partnership between the Hempel Foundation and UNICEF is built on a shared vision: to ensure all children have access to quality education and the foundational skills they need to thrive. UNICEF brings unparalleled expertise and reach in education systems, while the Hempel Foundation contributes resources, support, and a commitment to measurable results.

Together, we are not only developing tools like FLAT but also supporting initiatives that improve education quality where it is needed most. Strong partnerships enable us to take collective action to address one of the world’s most pressing challenges: learning poverty.

Data is the cornerstone of everything we do. It informs us on how we act, where we should invest, and which initiatives we should support. From identifying challenges to measuring impact, data helps us ensure that our work creates tangible results for children’s foundational learning. By using evidence to guide our actions, we can prioritize solutions that drive systemic change - whether it’s strengthening education policies, programmes or tools to monitor progress.

In addition to supporting the generation of data and evidence for efficient education policy decision-making, we fund the development of cost-effective program solutions that can be scaled by governments.