Mother language for effective learning Many primary school children in low-income countries cannot read at grade level. Around 40 percent of those who learn to read are taught in a language they do not speak or fully understand. Children who do not learn to read well will not thrive in school and likely will not…

Better skills for today’s jobs Employment trends in Morocco have changed rapidly in recent years, with fewer opportunities in the public sector. University graduates struggle to find jobs and are turning to the private sector. Nevertheless, more than 20 percent are unemployed. The mismatch between the skills of job seekers and the needs of private-sector…

Smartphone app closes gender gap Fishing provides income for more than 600,000 Senegalese people. Ninety percent of the country’s fish are caught by “artisanal” fishers, who rely on traditional methods. Their earnings depend on weather patterns, market prices and consumer demand. Fish processors, customarily women, are central to the fishery value chain but have typically…

HIV services scaled up during a crisis The ongoing insurgency in northeast Nigeria has claimed an estimated 20,000 lives, precipitating a humanitarian crisis that has gained global attention. Approximately 1.5 million people are internally displaced in Borno State alone. Until two years ago, HIV services were almost nonexistent for those living in internally displaced persons camps. Despite…

Community-led solutions to end violent extremism What drives people to violent extremism? There is no simple answer, and reasons vary by region, country and community. But, there is consensus that combating violent extremism must involve a deep and nuanced understanding of its causes. Too often, strategies are developed in a vacuum, without involving those most…

Farmers go digital to shed debt In Bangladesh, the economy is driven by agriculture: Approximately 70 percent of people live in rural areas and draw their income and employment from agriculture and related activities. Yet, farming requires many upfront costs, including seeds, irrigation systems, equipment and fertilizer, and smallholder farmers must cover these costs before…