Key Insights & Why They Matter
1. Make Mother Tongue Instruction Central to Learning Architecture:
Children grasp basic literacy and numeracy concepts faster in familiar languages, creating stronger foundations for multilingual learning. FastTrack+’s 69% literacy improvement resulted from making mother tongue instruction foundational to their Teaching at the Right Level approach in displacement contexts where children face both educational disruption and multilingual barriers. Similarly, Freethinking Foundation’s Montessori on Wheels saw 36% increased enrollment when local mothers delivered instruction in familiar languages
Policy Tip: Develop foundational literacy and numeracy content in community languages with clear bridges to
national and international languages.
How do you teach a child to read or count when schools are closed, teachers are few, and technology is limited?
This new WISE Innovation Brief explores that very question, spotlighting bold and practical solutions from around the world that are helping children build essential skills in the most difficult conditions. From WhatsApp-based math support in Jordan to self-guided learning tools in refugee camps, the brief shares real stories and lessons from innovators working where need is greatest.
These aren’t just tools. They’re lifelines, shaped by local realities, grounded in evidence, and designed to scale.