The Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge provides learning gains equal to an extra year in the best performing sub-Saharan African education systems.
Every child has the right to an education - a right enshrined in Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Yet, the stark reality is that education remains a distant dream for millions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a staggering 70% of children cannot read or comprehend a basic text by age 10, rising to 89% in sub-Saharan Africa (Footnote 1). Compounding this challenge is an annual $100bn financing gap to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Sierra Leone is leading the way in responding to these challenges. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister David Sengeh and the Minister for Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, the nation is transforming its primary education system to give children the skills they need for life.
The Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge (SLEIC)
In 2022, the Sierra Leone government, in partnership with the Education Outcomes Fund, launched the groundbreaking $18 million Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge (SLEIC) - a bold initiative to improve primary education and the largest outcomes fund for education globally. Co-funded by the Sierra Leone government, Bank of America, the Hempel Foundation, the Korea International Cooperation Agency and UK International Development, this three-year programme is rewriting the playbook on equal education for all.
With an ambitious goal to boost learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy, SLEIC reaches over 134,000 children in 325 primary schools, supported by five dedicated partners: EducAid Sierra Leone, Rising Academy Network, Save the Children, Street Child, and the National Youth Awareness Forum in collaboration with Kizazi.
At the heart of SLEIC is a simple but game-changing idea: tying payment to results achieved. We designed the programme in a way that incentivises implementing partners to focus on what really matters – learning outcomes for children – rather than sticking to predetermined activities. This frees up the opportunity to innovate in response to local needs. Sustainability is built in with a $36 per child price cap, to enable future scaling of the approach across Sierra Leone’s education system. Together with a focus on collaboration and peer learning, the programme is designed to ensure that money is only spent on activities that are proven to have an impact.
In Year 2 the programme continued to reach families and communities with 96,171 children enrolled, 1,849 teachers trained, and 13,147 community members engaged. But what really matters is whether children’s education is improving, and we’re delighted to see strong learning outcomes in Year 2.
Learning Gains That Matter
The programme is independently evaluated by Oxford Policy Management via a rigorous randomised control trial that compares results in the SLEIC treatment schools with an equal number of control schools that did not receive the SLEIC intervention.
In Year 2 SLEIC delivered significant improvements in learning outcomes for children in the treatment schools, putting them ahead of the control schools:
Maths scores increased by 0.292 standard deviations (SD) - surpassing stretch targets
English scores rose by 0.175 SD, strong progress from the previous year’s lower baseline
These are ahead of the median 0.10 SD observed in a recent study of similar interventions in low- and middle-income countries (see footnote 2). We achieved this while capping costs, supporting the longer term sustainability of the work.
To put this in context, the learning gains are equivalent to an additional year of schooling in sub-Saharan Africa’s top-performing education systems.
SLEIC is always focused on progress and there is more to do in supporting boys to achieve better literacy outcomes, which are currently below target. The data from Year 2, together with SLEIC's focus on learning and the flexibility of its Outcomes-Based Financing model, will enable partners to refine their approach to tackling this challenge.
Closing the Gender Learning Gap
One of SLEIC’s standout achievements is its success in empowering girls, who have traditionally faced greater barriers to accessing education. Evaluation shows that treatment effects are higher for girls than boys and the focus on girls is yielding significant results:
Girls’ numeracy gains are 124% higher compared to Year 1
In some regions, girls have caught up with boys
Girls continue to score lower overall than boys in both Literacy and Numeracy, but the gap has narrowed in the treatment schools, decreasing from a 15 point in Year 1 to a 4 point difference on average in Year 2. This is hugely encouraging progress and indicates that the 20% higher price incentive for girls’ outcomes is paying off.
Why It Works: The power of Outcomes-Based Financing
What sets SLEIC apart is its Outcomes-Based Financing (OBF) model, where implementing partners are paid only when they achieve specific, measurable learning outcomes. This innovative approach ensures a relentless focus on real-world results rather than rigid, predetermined activities.
Here’s how it works:
The government identifies schools and sets clear learning targets
Together with the government we at EOF select the partners and oversee their implementation
Partners are reimbursed by the outcomes funders, based on their success in achieving the goals
This model incentivises creativity and accountability, with a special emphasis on narrowing the gender gap. The girls’ results above show this strategy is driving real change.
Real lives, real impact
SLEIC’s impact extends beyond metrics - it’s changing lives.
Take Aminata, a Grade 2 student who struggled with reading. Through SLEIC’s tailored interventions, she read her first sentence independently. Her teacher celebrated not just in class but by calling her parents to share the milestone.
In the Katire community, one parent described the transformation in their daughter: “She used to dislike school, but now she’s eager to learn. Her grades have improved, and she shares her accomplishments with pride. We’re grateful to Street Child for this supportive environment.”
Or consider Suluku, a Grade 3 boy who often skipped school to work on his family’s farm. Through SLEIC, his community rallied around him, convincing his family of the importance of education. Today, Suluku attends school regularly, his future brighter than ever.
What Does SLEIC Look Like in Practice?
SLEIC’s approach combines teacher training, community support, and innovative financing to ensure long-lasting change. The implementing partners combine global best practice with local solutions that adapt to the needs of different communities.
Almost all schools received teacher training and learning materials
Many schools implemented programmes for community engagement and school management support
Health and safety initiatives, like menstrual hygiene training, addressed barriers to attendance
One example of innovation within the SLEIC is the use of messaging apps to provide coaching to teachers. Every weekend Reuben Kpange, a coach with Rising Academies, records videos with teaching tips under the light of a solar lamp and shares them via a WhatsApp group. This has not only led to improvements in knowledge of teaching practices, but also helped create a sense of community and support among teachers, bringing wider benefits.
One of the teachers, Marie, who started as a volunteer with no formal training, said:
“The first time I stood in front of a class, my knees were shaking. But watching those videos, practising with my colleagues every weekend, and having mentors like Coach Reuben – it changed everything. Now my students' eyes light up when I teach.”
The holistic model of SLEIC creates an environment where both students and teachers can thrive. In year 2 attendance rates were higher in treatment schools than in control schools. Next year the program promises even greater success.
A Vision for the Future
We're delighted to build on this strong performance as SLEIC enters it third year. The Year 2 evaluation shows that the programme is not just effective - it’s transforming lives.
For Sierra Leone, this isn’t just about improving test scores. It’s about ensuring every child, regardless of gender or circumstance, has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.
“We’re not just teaching,” says one teacher. “We’re transforming lives.”
Sierra Leone’s education drive is proof that with the right leadership, innovation, determination, and a commitment to equity, even the toughest learning gaps can be bridged.
Footnote 1: 'The State of Global Learning Poverty: 2022 Update,' World Bank, Washington DC, 2022.
Footnote 2: David K. Evans and Fei Yuan. “How Big Are Effect Sizes in International Education Studies?” Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, vol. 44, Issue 3, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737221079646
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