Study
Research implementation in a few schools, randomly allocated to treatment and control.
Rapid Results Initiative
Boost FLN in 45 Days
Study. Scale. Sustain. The RRI is a practical pathway for ministries, districts and NGOs to test ALfA, measure gains, and bring results to Global Learning Lab 2027.
Fast · Holistic · Transformative
Rapid Results Initiative: What and why?
Relying on current practices will merely replicate existing outcomes. RRI invites education systems to embrace research-driven innovations that challenge established methods and create transformational progress.
45 working days
One hour of literacy and one hour of numeracy each day in the standard model.
30,000+ schools
ALfA has grown from 20 schools to staged roll-out across 30,000+ government schools.
33 languages
Toolkits are available across Indian and international languages for fast replication.
US$4 per child
Low-cost learning materials and training support make scaling practical.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.”
Albert Einstein
7 out of 10
10-year-olds cannot read in low- and middle-income countries around the world.
Imagine: new process · new structure · new outcome
ALfA makes the 45-day challenge practical.
Accelerating Learning for All addresses delays in foundational skills through peer-to-peer learning. Children build fluency, vocabulary and mathematical understanding through simple daily routines, then move onto a stronger academic trajectory.
RRI combines pedagogy, learning materials and teacher empowerment so partners can measure what changes quickly and decide how to scale.
Scale
Scale the implementation to more schools covering one or more low-performing districts.
Sustain
Integrate system-wide as a supplement or within government textbooks and teacher training systems.
Connection to GLL 2027
Bring real results to Lucknow.
RRI serves as a precursor to Global Learning Lab 2027, focused on “Fast-Forward FLN: From Global Research to Systemic Transformation,” scheduled for 8–10 February 2027 in Lucknow, India.
Countries and regions are invited to implement 45-day research implementations before the Lab and come prepared to share findings on efficacy, scalability, adaptability and pathways into national frameworks.
See the Lab programmeWhy ALfA?
Five reasons systems can act quickly.
Rapid results: children can make foundational literacy and numeracy gains in months, not years.
Teacher-friendly implementation: pre-structured lesson triggers reduce planning load and keep classrooms active.
Cost-efficiency: thin booklets, short training and locally available materials keep the model affordable.
Scalability and adaptability: the same process can be adapted across languages, grades and contexts.
Holistic development: paired learning builds collaboration, communication and critical thinking alongside FLN.
“The ALfA process is similar to teaching children to ride a bicycle; once they learn the basics, they build speed, understanding and confidence through practice.”
Evidence comparison
How ALfA is different from other “great buys”.
ALfA was launched after 22 years of educational research in Iceland, the UK and India. Since 2022, it has grown from 20 schools to staged roll-out across 30,000+ government schools because it can produce significant FLN gains across diverse contexts.
While ALfA is still emerging compared with established programmes such as TaRL and Structured Pedagogy, its swift learning gains position it as a promising strategy for achieving universal literacy and numeracy.
Detailed comparison
Study · Scale · Sustain
A flexible pathway from proof to adoption.
Research implementation in a few schools, randomly allocated to treatment and control.
- Objective and scope: conduct pilots in a few schools to establish proof of concept. A typical design uses 4 treatment schools and 4 control schools.
- Roles and cost-sharing: Dignity Education offers free online training, learning materials and assessments; the implementation partner arranges monitoring and third-party assessment.
- Research design: pre-post difference-in-difference analysis, with an RCT design where feasible.
Implementation options and activities
- Standard model: 45 working days, with one hour dedicated to literacy and one hour to numeracy each day.
- Intensive model: 30 working days with full-day FLN focus in mission mode.
Implementation flow
Twelve practical steps from selection to reporting.
1
School Selection
2
Baseline Assessments
3
Teacher Training
4
Learning Materials
5
Daily ALfA Lessons
6
Diversity in the Classroom
7
Supportive Supervision
8
Role of Technology
9
Refresher Trainings
10
Parent Engagement
11
Endline Assessments
12
Analysis & Reporting
Impact at scale
From pilots to whole-district gains.
Many interventions show promise in pilots and then struggle at scale. ALfA has moved from small pilots to large district gains. The Uttar Pradesh government's PARAKH 2024 test showed significant gains compared with NAS 2021, with strong improvement in the ALfA districts of Lucknow, Unnao, Barabanki and Shamli.
Global RRI case studies
Case studies from governments, NGOs and community partners.
ALfA FLN toolkits are available in 33 languages, including Arabic, Chishona, Dari, English, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Twi, Yoruba and many Indian languages. Partnerships with governments, NGOs and international organisations can drive large-scale adoption after RRIs.
Olinga Foundation / Associates for Change
Ghana
Implementation in 6 schools, with 3 as control. After 55 days, the proportion of students literate increased by 28 percentage points in Grade 5 — over 5 times the rate of increase in the control group.
Explore more
State and district governments
Uttar Pradesh
In India's most populous state, schools and districts implementing ALfA performed 2–3x better on the government's NIPUN Assessment Test, which measures FLN competencies.
Explore more
Ministry of Education, UNICEF
Maldives
Test scores in ALfA schools improved 7 percentage points in English and 11 percentage points in Maths — nearly double the rate of improvement compared to reference group schools.
Explore more
Arca Beta NGO
Peru
ALfA is being piloted in several schools in the remote Amazon, with impressive results. Discussions are now underway with government for scaling up.
Watch video
Literacy Chicago
USA
ALfA is helping disadvantaged adults learn to read through a swift and joyful process. Volunteers and learners alike are loving the approach.
Watch video
State Government
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has signed an agreement for state-wide ALfA implementation. The work began in Solan and Shimla districts with impressive results.
Explore more
IIMPACT Foundation
Rajasthan
ALfA materials are being used in a mother literacy programme in Rajasthan, as well as West Bengal, UP, Uttarakhand and Haryana. Learners' test scores more than tripled from baseline to endline.
Explore more
Learn more
Books, extracts and deeper reading.
Disruptive Literacy
Dr Gandhi's first book, Bloomsbury, 2022
Accelerating Learning for All
Dr Gandhi's latest book, Bloomsbury, 2024
Videos
Watch the RRI and ALfA stories.
Video
ALfA overview
Video
Peru case story
Video
Literacy Chicago, USA
Video
RRI field insight
Video
Classroom practice
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for partners.
These questions come from the earlier RRI page and help ministries, NGOs and educators understand how the 45-day model works.
Global case evidence across 12 countries.
Designed for teachers, volunteers and learners.
Baseline-to-endline results built into the process.
Linked materials, books and extracts included.
Run an RRI before the Lab
Apply to run an RRI
- Start by TEAM INPUT: latest RRI start date
- Baseline in week 1; endline in week 7.
- Submit results by TEAM INPUT: results submission date
- Share a results slot on Day 1 of the Lab, 8–10 February 2027.
- Named RRI coordinator: TEAM INPUT: name and email