Grade-Level Core Curriculum, Sierra Leone
+0.38 SD maths, +0.29 SD English
Independent RCT, Oxford Policy Management / Education Outcomes Fund, 2022–25; 96,000 children, 325 schools; $35/yr
Rising Academies
RCT7 Countries
Sierra LeoneLiberiaGhanaKenyaNigeriaRwandaGambia
Basic Information
Overview
Rising Academies' four evaluated programmes: Grade-Level Core Curriculum, Sierra Leone: +0.38 SD maths, +0.29 SD English (independent RCT, Oxford Policy Management / Education Outcomes Fund, 2022–25; 96,000 children, 325 schools; $35/yr). RisingFaster, Rwanda: +0.25 to +0.35 SD literacy and numeracy (quasi-experimental, Year 2; ~60,000 learners, 120 schools; $6/yr). FasterMath, Sierra Leone: +0.22 SD maths (independent RCT, 2023–24; $17/yr). Rori, Ghana: +0.36 SD maths, about one extra year of learning (RCT, 2023–24, ~500 students; ~$5 marginal cost). Rising works in 25 LEAP schools as of August 2025 (down from 95 after funding cuts).
Intervention type
Structured pedagogical intervention (teacher training, scripted lessons, ongoing coaching, data feedback) + AI WhatsApp tutoring (Rori)
Website
Evidence base
RCT
Independent RCTs: Sierra Leone core curriculum, FasterMath and Ghana Rori. Rwanda RisingFaster: quasi-experimental. · Government primary schools in West and East Africa
Independent RCTs: Sierra Leone core curriculum, FasterMath and Ghana Rori. Rwanda RisingFaster: quasi-experimental. · Government primary schools in West and East Africa
Current & Planned Impact
Current scale
490,000+
Learners across 7 Countries
Planned scale
Scale RisingFaster via government partnerships; expand Rori across existing countries
Provider estimate at government scale
Learning gains
+0.38 SD maths, +0.29 SD English
Sierra Leone RCT, 2022–25
Rising Impact Evaluation Summary (Oct 2026); Oxford Policy Management / Education Outcomes Fund
Cost / learner / yr
$6–$35
Software, curriculum, integration, support
Caveat: Effect sizes vary by country and delivery model. Cost is provider estimate at government scale (RisingFaster).
Learning Gains by Programme
RisingFaster, Rwanda
+0.25 to +0.35 SD literacy and numeracy
Quasi-experimental, Year 2; ~60,000 learners, 120 schools; $6/yr
FasterMath, Sierra Leone
+0.22 SD maths
Independent RCT, 2023–24; $17/yr
Rori, Ghana
+0.36 SD maths, about one extra year of learning
RCT, 2023–24, ~500 students; ~$5 marginal cost
Rising works in 25 LEAP schools as of August 2025 (down from 95 after funding cuts). Source: Rising's Impact Evaluation Summary (Oct 2026).
Funding Ask (Illustrative)
⚠ Data pending
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