Lighthouse Coalition

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Launched in 2024, Lighthouse is a coalition of governments in the Global South improving literacy and numeracy. We build and share exemplars for the world to learn from and spread reform tactics across borders.

Strategic Priority

Knowledge Accelerator

Funding Catalyst

Partnership Builder

Growing a movement of motivated middle-tier reform champions inside government.

Our two-year pilot links emerging positive outliers (lighthouses) for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) across Brazil, South Africa, Kenya and India. Our vision is that energised and motivated government champions, backed by local in-country advisors with world-class coalition-building and government partnerships skills, ignite learning gains by 2040.

Building momentum for reform through a three-pillar theory of change

Lighthouse’s approach is anchored in a three pillar theory of change: strengthen local coalitions (through trips to experience exemplars and peer-to-peer learning between government leaders — and their non-state technical advisors); disseminate knowledge products (reform stories and tools for reform); and increase demand for reform from governments and funders.

The three-pillar theory of change

Pillar 1

Strengthen government-led coalitions

Provide technical support, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and structured learning trips to help government leaders and their advisors collaborate more effectively and drive reform coalitions at national and subnational levels.

Pillar 2

Produce knowledge products

Document reform journeys, coalitions, and leadership approaches through short videos, practical toolkits, and one-page guidelines that distill actionable lessons for other governments.

Pillar 3

Increase demand through narratives

Elevate successful reform stories and promote advocacy for foundational learning and coalition-based approaches through public campaigns, strategic communications, and engagement with funders and policy networks.

Strengthen government-led coalitions: Immersion visits to catalyse champions and build reform momentum

The programme organises domestic and cross-country immersions for government champions and technical advisors. These visits act as catalytic moments—connecting participants to frontline realities, reform leaders, and working models of foundational learning. The flagship August 2025 immersion in Sobral, Brazil, brought together 46 leaders from India, Kenya, and South Africa to observe how political commitment, structured pedagogy, assessment, and coalition-building transformed outcomes in a low-resource context. Co-designed with country teams, each trip aligns with national priorities and reform pathways. Structured visits, masterclasses, peer reflection, and informal exchanges build trust, strengthen coalitions, and generate renewed commitment to adapt lessons and lead reforms at home.

Produce knowledge products: Curating and packaging reform journeys into actionable tools

The programme documents government-led FLN reform journeys from across the Global South—including case studies, short videos, and visual decks that showcase strategies, challenges, and enablers behind systems change. These materials are designed to motivate and equip government champions and advisors with tools adaptable to their own contexts. Wherever possible, existing public goods are adapted to improve relevance and reduce duplication, with new products created only when needed. By translating complex reform experiences into accessible, practical, and action-oriented formats, the coalition supports replication and diffusion of reform approaches across geographies.

Increase demand through narratives: Elevating reform stories to build legitimacy and momentum

The coalition amplifies successful reform stories to raise the profile of foundational learning and coalition-based approaches in policy spaces, funder networks, and public discourse. Strategic communications, advocacy efforts, and narrative-driven campaigns help showcase real reform journeys, government leadership, and tangible gains for children. These stories build credibility, shape public opinion, and create demand for reform—helping to sustain political will and attract investment. By positioning FLN reform as both achievable and scalable, the coalition generates momentum and strengthens the case for adoption across new countries.

Resources on government-led education system reform

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Proactive provinces: South Africa’s movement to win the battle for literacy

Video

March 2026

South Africa’s literacy reform is still unfolding, but the direction of change is clear. Watch this video, created as part of Lighthouse Coalition, to learn how South Africa has moved to win the battle for literacy.

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The NIPUN Bharat Mission: Building the foundations of a new India

Video

March 2026

In this video, we see India’s journey from a national learning crisis to measurable progress in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), even after schools were closed for nearly 600 days during COVID. India’s change shows how systems can move from recognising a learning crisis to coordinated national action. Clear data revealed the scale of foundational literacy and numeracy challenges. Political leadership responded with a national mission, states aligned behind a single goal, and practical tools supported teachers to improve instruction and track progress.

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Sobral: How Brazilian politicians led a learning revolution

Video

February 2026

Sobral — once one of Brazil’s poorest municipalities — transformed into a global benchmark for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN). In just four years, the share of Grade 2 children reading at grade level jumped from 49% to 92%. Sobral didn’t succeed by accident. It succeeded through intentional choices that put learning at the centre of every decision — without more money, but with leadership, teacher support, assessment, and accountability.

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Brazil’s bold bet: A national curriculum for every child

Video

February 2026

Brazil moved from fragmented, unequal education outcomes to a shared national learning vision - driven not by one ministry or politician, but by a broad coalition of educators, academics, and policymakers working across political lines. By defining what every child should learn and when, Brazil aligned nearly every municipality with the same high standard, a remarkable shift for a country of such size and diversity.

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Building Effective Coalitions in Education: Lessons from the Collective Impact Model and Brazilian Cases

Toolkit

Guide

February 2026

4 MB

The experiences of Brazilian initiatives like Todos Pela Educação (TPE) and Movimento pela Base (MPB) illustrate the power of collective impact. By acting as coalitions, they were instrumental in advancing structural policies like the National Learning Standards (BNCC), the New Fundeb (the public funding mechanism for basic education) and the National Commitment to Child Literacy, even in highly unstable political contexts.

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Strategies for Effective Advocacy in Education: Lessons from Todos pela Educação & Movimento pela Base

Toolkit

Guide

February 2026

5 MB

The successful experiences of Brazilian organisations like Todos Pela Educação (TPE) and Movimento pela Base (MPB) demonstrate that effective advocacy depends on a combination of coordinated strategies, ranging from direct dialogue with public authorities to broad societal mobilisation. This document details some of those strategies, hoping to offer a pragmatic guide for organisations seeking to influence the prioritisation, formulation, implementation, and sustainability of structural education policies.

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