Reducing learning poverty, ensuring that every child can read with understanding and perform basic arithmetic, is a central priority of the Redemptorist Solidarity Office (RSO). At the Redemptorist BCA School in Andriaka, Madagascar, this challenge is particularly acute, as many children come from vulnerable rural households where long travel distances, household responsibilities, and financial hardship affect attendance and learning.
Teachers identified key barriers including absenteeism, low concentration, limited participation, and significant gaps in reading and basic mathematics. Addressing these challenges requires a strong and consistent focus on foundational skills.
From March 12 to 14, 2026, a training workshop was conducted with 15 teachers to strengthen classroom practices in literacy and numeracy. The training introduced practical, low-cost, and context-adapted methods to improve student engagement and learning outcomes.
Teachers used syllabic cards and guided reading activities to support early literacy, making reading more interactive and encouraging participation, particularly among quieter students.
For numeracy, hands-on approaches using counting tokens and everyday objects helped make mathematics concrete and engaging, increasing students’ motivation and concentration.
Simple student tracking tools were introduced to help teachers identify learners falling behind in reading and mathematics and monitor their progress more effectively.
The training also enabled teachers to analyse the root causes of learning poverty and identify practical solutions, including stronger engagement with parents and more interactive classroom practices.
This experience shows that meaningful progress in reducing learning poverty is possible, even in resource-constrained settings, when the focus remains on the essentials: reading, comprehension, and arithmetic, supported by simple and effective teaching methods.
Written by the Redemptorist Solidarity Office (RSO) Team
Together, we can help ensure that children at BCA School in Andriaka are not held back by learning poverty, but instead are given the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.
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