Scaling Foundational Learning in Sindh: A Systemic Approach
Sindh faces a critical learning crisis, with thousands of children struggling to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills. To address this, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), in partnership with SELD (School Education & Literacy Department) and OPM-DARE, is implementing a systemic, scalable approach to improve foundational learning. The Scaling Through Mainstream Systems initiative aims to integrate Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) methodologies into government schools, ensuring sustainable, long-term improvements in early-grade learning outcomes.
A Systematic, Government-Led Model
This initiative moves beyond pilot projects to a government-led, scalable intervention. By embedding TaRL within Sindh’s education policies, teacher training structures, and classroom routines, the program ensures that learning recovery and acceleration become a core part of the system rather than a temporary initiative.
Key aspects of the approach include:
- Strategic Focus on Two Districts: The program will be implemented in Karachi West (urban/slum settings) and Umerkot (rural, minority-dominated areas) to develop a replicable model for scaling TaRL across Sindh.
- Teacher Training & Capacity Building: Over 400 government teachers and 80 master trainers will be trained to deliver TaRL interventions in classrooms, ensuring that learning outcomes improve across all 90 target schools.
- Integration with Sindh’s Education Policies: The initiative aligns with the Sindh ECCE and Foundational Learning Policy (2024), embedding TaRL into the official school curriculum and teacher training programs.
To ensure evidence-based decision-making, the program incorporates digital tracking and assessments. Using tools like Kobo Survey and centralized dashboards, student progress will be monitored at baseline, midline, and endline stages. This approach provides real-time insights into learning improvements, helping policymakers and education leaders make data-driven decisions.
The program also prioritizes high-level advocacy and policy integration to ensure TaRL becomes a permanent feature in Sindh’s education system. This includes:
- Government-Led Scaling: Working closely with STEDA, DCAR, and PITE to integrate TaRL into teacher training institutions.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging parliamentarians, education committees, and policymakers to push for systemic adoption of foundational learning improvements.
- Community Mobilization: Training local education champions to advocate for learning recovery at the grassroots level.
Impact & Long-Term Vision
By embedding foundational learning within mainstream government structures, the initiative aims to:
- Improve literacy and numeracy for 25,000+ students across Sindh.
- Equip 400+ teachers with the skills to deliver accelerated learning programs.
- Reduce dropout rates and increase primary-to-secondary school transitions.
- Establish a replicable model for scaling learning recovery interventions across Sindh and beyond.
This initiative is more than just an education program—it is a systemic shift towards ensuring every child in Sindh has access to quality foundational learning. By working within the government system, leveraging data-driven strategies, and building local capacity, we are creating a sustainable, scalable, and impactful solution for the education crisis in Sindh.
Secretary School Education and Literacy Department, Mr. Zahid Ali Abbasi, attended a key stakeholder meeting hosted by ITA
