PAL Network

Big News for Global Education Research! 📊

We are excited to announce that the PAL Network’s ICAN-ICAR (2025) microdata is now officially live on the DataFirst, University of Cape Town open data portal!

🌍 Access the data here: https://lnkd.in/d7i3bzaZ

At the PAL Network, we believe that data should not just be collected; it should be used to drive systemic change. The International Common Assessments of Numeracy (ICAN) and Reading (ICAR) are our latest tools designed to provide a comparable, household-based snapshot of foundational learning across the Global South.

By releasing this microdata, we are inviting researchers, policymakers, and education advocates to:

✅ Dive deep into foundational math and reading trends.
✅ Explore data disaggregated by gender, age, and location.
✅ Use evidence-based insights to inform interventions that ensure no child is left behind.

This milestone is a testament to the power of South-South collaboration. A huge thank you to all our member organisations and partners who made this possible.

Let’s turn evidence into action. We look forward to seeing how the global research community utilises this dataset to improve learning outcomes for every child!

This work is rooted in the children behind the numbers, the households that opened their doors to us, and the collective effort across our network to make learning visible and meaningful. This milestone truly belongs to all of us.

🌍 Join the PAL Network Team!
We’re looking for passionate professionals committed to advancing holistic learning and strengthening advocacy across the Global South.
We are currently hiring for:
🔹 Program Manager, Advocacy
🔹 Communication & Visibility Consultant
If you’re skilled in communications, digital strategy, policy engagement, or evidence-based advocacy—we want to hear from you!
👉 Apply for Program Manager, Advocacy: https://palnetwork.org/program-manager-advocacy/
👉 Apply for Communication & Visibility Consultant: https://palnetwork.org/communication-and-visibility-consultant/
Please share widely with your networks! ✨

🎙️ New Podcast Episode!
Our CEO Armando Ali joined the FLN Hub Podcast to unpack the latest ICAN–ICAR assessment findings released at the Evidence for Action Forum in Nairobi.

In this short conversation, Armando reflects on:
➡️ What the ICAN–ICAR data shows across 12 countries
➡️ How citizen-led assessments reveal real learning levels
➡️ Why the shift of SDG 4.1.1a to Tier 2 signals a global measurement crisis
➡️ What must happen next to ensure every child gains foundational skills

🎧 Listen here: https://shorturl.at/a6IQD

As the year comes to a close, we reflect with gratitude on the collective effort that defines PAL Network. Together, we continue to transform evidence into action for foundational learning across the Global South.

Wishing our community a restful holiday season and a hopeful, energised year ahead.

A thoughtful reflection from Hugh McLean on what truly foundational learning should look like and how south–south collaboration can shape it.

Coming out of the in Nairobi, Hugh highlights how PAL Network’s and the wider community are helping redefine foundational learning beyond literacy and numeracy, toward a more holistic, capabilities-based approach.

His insights underscore the power of shared learning, shared evidence, and shared purpose, a reminder that the South continues to lead important conversations in education.

Read it here 👉 https://bit.ly/4iNX3jh

Hugh McLean’s Reflections from Nairobi: Planting the Seeds of a New Foundational Learning - NORRAG - Can a foundational learning agenda be truly ‘foundational’ if it doesn’t help children understand the world on fire around them? This was a central question for me when I attended the PAL Evidence for Action Forum in Nairobi (25–26 November 2025) as NORRAG’s Senior Advisor. The event was a...

Day 3 of the brought our regional hubs together for a powerful morning of collaboration, learning, and strategic alignment.

From East Africa to South Asia, Latin America, and West Africa, hubs reflected on their journeys, shared progress, and identified concrete next steps to advance foundational learning in their contexts.

A meaningful close to three days of evidence-driven dialogue, shared commitment, and South–South learning.

Today’s thematic workshops brought powerful, evidence-driven conversations to the .

> Workshop 1 explored how tools strengthen SDG 4.1.1a reporting by generating comparable, actionable data across countries.

> Workshop 2 focused on turning evidence into targeted learning interventions that improve teaching and foundational outcomes.

> Workshop 3 highlighted practical approaches for measuring social–emotional learning to support holistic, inclusive learning.

Thank you to all facilitators, partners, and participants for advancing these critical conversations.

: Foundational Learning in Focus - Country Wins, Challenges, and Paths to Collaboration

M***a Swilla - Senior Officer and the National Coordinator for Pre-Primary and Foundational Learning under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), (Tanzania)

Niory Keita - Head of Communication and Information for the Support Unit for Deconcentration and Decentralisation of Education (CADDE-MEN), (Mali)

Dr. Shahid Soroya - Director General, Pakistan Institute of Education, (Pakistan)

Jesus Ofelia Angulo - Head of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, (Mexico)

Moderator: Mary Goretti Nakabugo (Uwezo, Uganda)

Closing keynote address: Collaboration across sectors and actors by Anders Holm (CEO, Hempel Foundation)

This morning, we turn the spotlight on the real stories behind foundational learning across countries. What’s working, what’s challenging, and where collaboration can accelerate change.

Our panel brings together leaders from Tanzania, Mali, Pakistan, and Mexico, moderated by Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo of Uwezo Uganda, followed by an inspiring keynote from Anders Holm of the Hempel Foundation.

Day 1 at the was a powerful start to our South–South Learning Exchange.

From deep discussions on citizen-generated data to unpacking early insights from the # ICANICARReport, day 1 brought together voices from across countries, sectors, and communities, all focused on strengthening foundational learning.

We explored what two decades of citizen-led assessments have taught us, celebrated a powerful report launch, and reflected on the gaps that still need action.

Here’s a look at some of the moments that shaped Day 1.