Save the ChildrenNgerengere House, Off Mchinji Road,

P.O. Box 30374Lilongwe, Malawi

Tel: +265 1 762667malawi@savethechildren.org

NUMERACY BOOST

Save the Children is the world’s leading development and humanitarian agency for

children, with over 95 years of experience in health and nutrition, food security and livelihoods, education, protection, and HIV and AIDS as well as in emergency humanitarian response. Save the Children has operated in Malawi since 1983 working directly or through partners in all 28 districts. In 2012 Save the Children’s programmes reached over 5.2 million people, 35% of the population of Malawi.

Save the Children’s programmes are only possible because of the generous financial assistance from multiple funding sources. These include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Canadian International Development Agency, the European Commission, John Hopkins University, JHPIEGO, Catholic Relief Services, Banca Intessa and Barilla, General Electric Foundation, Martin Devenish Foundation, ECLT Foundation, Segal Family Foundation and individual donors through our sponsorship programme.

Save the Children works with the government to ensure that communities receive quality basic services. In particular Save the Children seeks to bring positive and lasting change to children through interventions in the following areas:-

• Health• Education & Early Child Development• Food Security and Livelihoods• Child Protection

We do this by:-• Developing evidence-based replicable solutions• Using our experience to advocate and mobilize for better practices, programmes and policies for children• Supporting effective implementation of those practices, programmes and policies at scale.

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for

children

Our VisionA world in which every child attains the

right to survival, protection, development and participation

Our MissionTo inspire breakthrough in the way the world treats children and to achieve

immediate and lasting change in their lives

How does it fit into our Theory of Change?

Numeracy Boost fits Save the Children’s Theory of Change in a number of ways. Through, Innovation, children have access to education both at school and at home. It is Building Partnerships by enhancing collaboration among stakeholders. It has allowed for a joint effort in advocating and being the Voice for positive lasting change in the lives of children. And lastly, the implementation of camps in all the program communities is just one example of Achieving Results at Scale.

What evidence is there for making lasting change in the lives of children?

Basing on the results of the end line assessment of the pilot project, students from Numeracy Boost schools outscored those from other schools. In addition, there has been evidence of an increase in learning achievements, attendance, and eagerness from communities in helping children.

How does it influence policy?

Since the inception of Numeracy Boost there has been continuous collaboration with Government partners from the Ministry of Education includ-ing Education and Methods Advisors, Teacher Training College Lecturers, District Education Managers, PEAs, Primary Education Advisors, Head Teachers, teachers, local leaders and parents. It is hoped that these structures can help to continue influencing policy changes.

What future plans do we have for scaling up?

Numeracy Boost initiative was rolled out in 15 schools and 186 villages during the pilot phase and intends to scale up to 15 more schools basing on its successful implementation.

What is innovative about Numeracy Boost?

Numeracy Boost has implemented math camps in all the villages it serves. It promotes the involve-ment of family members in helping children with their math and uses Government partners at all levels, which enhances stakeholder relationships.

NUMERACY BOOST

What is Numeracy Boost?

Numeracy Boost (NB) is an approach that was developed by Save the Children to help children in Standards 1 and 2 learn basic math, involving teachers and their communities. The program helps link events in the classroom to the children’s homes and promotes the participation of parents in a fun and effective way. It is being implemented in 15 schools and 186 villages in Traditional Au-thority (TA) Chikowi in the district of Zomba, Malawi.

Implementation Strategy

• Children are first assessed with a math test, which helps teachers and Save the Children Staff better understand their deficiencies and required support.

• Teachers are trained and equipped with skills, which enhances their effectiveness in teaching.

• Children practice their math skills at school, camps and at home with support, materials and games to assist them. In practicing their skills children cover math problems, questions, and engage in discussions.