Transforming Numeracy Through Teaching at the Right Level Rays of Hope has been enlightening Malawi through transformative education since 2009, building the country's largest teacher network with over 5,000 educators across 262 primary schools. Led by CEO Willie Mpasuka, this faith-based organization has proven its impact through innovative Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) methodology, which groups students by learning ability rather than age, and comprehensive teacher training through Communities of Practice. Currently operating in 48 primary schools across seven districts, Rays of Hope combines remediation programs, structured pedagogy, and storytelling approaches to address foundational numeracy gaps, demonstrating measurable success in accelerating learning outcomes for thousands of vulnerable children in rural Malawi. Enhancing Proven Models with Cognitive Science With NRD support, Rays of Hope will revolutionize their approach in Blantyre Rural district by integrating cognitive learning concepts from the science of learning into their established TaRL framework. Their three-outcome intervention focuses on improving teacher content knowledge and pedagogy through action-based research and monthly mathematics circles, delivering numeracy- charged TaRL content with enhanced assessment tools, and establishing functional Communities of Practice supported by AI-enabled teacher applications. The program introduces real-time data collection through tablets, storytelling-mathematics integration, and competitions using manipulatives and concrete materials. This evidence-based approach targets early grades 1-3, aiming to achieve NRD's ambitious goal of 50% of children acquiring critical numeracy outcomes through a blend of proven methodologies and innovative technological enhancements. Government Partnership for Sustainable Scale Rays of Hope operates with deep integration into Malawi's education system, working alongside District Education Management Information Systems and employing government teachers as core implementers to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Their scale strategy emphasizes four key features: real-time data systems, cost reduction through resource pooling, simplicity in program design, and a blended scale approach where government adopts innovations while Rays of Hope provides ongoing technical support. With a steering committee including government representatives and research partners, they're positioned to serve as a thought leader and communication partner, leveraging NRD funding as catalytic capital for potential national scale-out. Discover more about their transformative work at raysofhopemalawi.org and see how local expertise, government collaboration, and innovative numeracy pedagogy are unlocking mathematical potential across rural Malawi.

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