Resources

How to Lead Sub-National Reforms

Toolkit

July 2026

12 MB

Sub-national governments often hold more power over primary schools than national ministries, yet most reform guidance focuses on the national level. Our new toolkit from the Lighthouse Coalition at Global Schools Forum helps close that gap, drawing on foundational learning reforms in Western Cape, Gauteng (South Africa) and Haryana (India) to set out six practical pillars, from building coalitions and local buy-in to using evidence for continuous improvement, that any government can adapt to lead lasting change at scale.

Lessons from subsidising the start-up of early years centres

Case Study

July 2026

7 MB

This case study explores how Partnership for Change (PfC) is helping build financially sustainable childcare centres in Addis Ababa through a "smart subsidy" model, combining targeted one-off capital, rigorous financial planning, and hands-on technical support. Part of GSF's series on financially sustainable early years services, it draws on lessons from the Growing Sustainably toolkit to show how time-bound subsidies, rather than ongoing operational funding, can unlock childcare supply while keeping centres on a path to self-sufficiency.

ECD in Emergencies

Designing an outcomes fund

Practice Brief

April 2026

1 MB

This practice brief complements the Policy Brief on Outcomes Funds for Education, offering a practical overview for government officials, implementers, funders and Global Schools Forum (GSF) members on designing education-focused outcomes funds. This guide is intended primarily to provide government officials and the broader membership of the GSF community with a solid understanding of what the design process of an outcomes fund entails, and key elements to consider when engaging in this process.

Gov-Non-State Partnerships

Link Education and the Government of Malawi

Case Study

April 2026

5 MB

This case study examines how Link Education and the Government of Malawi partnered to deliver inclusive Complementary Basic Education, reaching over 6,300 marginalised learners. It highlights how inclusive approaches, government collaboration, and adaptive implementation can drive scalable improvements in foundational learning.

Gov-Non-State Partnerships

Learning Differences Evidence Hub

Measuring foundational learning outcomes: Taking the first steps

Practice Brief

April 2026

5 MB

This Guide focuses specifically on FLN. While foundational skills are typically expected to be developed by the end of Grade 3, many older children continue to acquire them later in their learning journey. For this reason, the assessment approaches outlined here may also be relevant where foundational gaps persist among older learners.

Proactive provinces: South Africa’s movement to win the battle for literacy

Video

March 2026

South Africa’s literacy reform is still unfolding, but the direction of change is clear. Watch this video, created as part of Lighthouse Coalition, to learn how South Africa has moved to win the battle for literacy.