What foundational learning materials are available in Pakistan?
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Children across Pakistan are struggling with basic literacy and numeracy; fewer than 1 in 4 children can read with comprehension by the age of 10 (The World Bank, 2022). Various factors contribute to this learning crisis, one of which is the lack of access to essential teaching and learning materials for both teachers and students. Our research with Federal Directorate of Education teachers (here) reveals that nearly 80% of teachers use only the textbook during reading lessons due to a lack of supplementary reading material. However, education departments often lack the funding to develop and distribute materials to schools.
As a result, PFL Hub conducted this ‘Teaching and Learning Materials Mapping’, to identify existing quality teaching and learning materials in Pakistan that have already been developed, are available at low or no cost, and are supported by strong evidence of impact. Free online materials are available on our Online TLM Library page.
Why Was the Study Conducted?
The ‘Teaching and Learning Materials Mapping’ is a scan of high-quality, evidence-backed, and low-cost foundational learning teaching and learning materials available in Pakistan. The Federal Foundational Learning Policy states: “Each education department … [will] review and analyse existing content and the teaching and learning material.” Similarly, provincial foundational learning policies include provisions for reviewing and selecting teaching materials. This report supports education departments by mapping existing materials and recommending high-quality resources that can be used to implement their foundational learning policies effectively.
What Methodology Was Used?
The Teaching and Learning Materials Mapping followed a rigorous seven-stage process to identify and evaluate materials to be included in this mapping. The stages are listed below:
Mapped foundational learning competencies from the National Curriculum of Pakistan and the Global Proficiency Framework.
Began searching for organisations and projects that had previously developed foundational literacy and numeracy materials.
Consulted experts in the field to create a preliminary long list of organisations and projects that had developed content.
Conducted an in-depth desk review to refine the long list into a more focused shortlist.
Conducted detailed interviews with shortlisted organisations to assess their materials and further narrow the shortlist.
Had finalist organisations complete a database with comprehensive information about their foundational learning teaching and learning materials.
Based on the collected data, identified the most effective, high-quality materials suitable for foundational learning, conducted follow-up interviews with these organisations, and collected samples from them, all of which are detailed in this report.
Teaching and Learning Materials Mapping Methodology
What Did We Find?
Our findings indicate that Pakistan has a range of high-quality foundational learning resources developed by organisations with expertise in teacher training, content development, and assessment. The report highlights some of the best available materials, which are backed by evidence and have been tested for effectiveness.
We strongly recommend that these existing resources be used immediately to support the early stages of foundational learning policy implementation. However, for these materials to have a meaningful impact on children’s learning, there must be alignment between teacher training, teaching and learning materials, and assessment tools. This means that:
Teachers should be trained on the same materials that students use for learning.
Children should be tested on the content and competencies in the learning materials being used.
Therefore, we recommend that alignment be ensured wherever possible, and in the long term we recommend the development or compilation of a cohesive package of foundational learning materials for Grades 1-3 throughout the academic year.
How Can This Report Be Used?
The Teaching and Learning Materials Mapping provides valuable insights into evidence-based teaching and learning materials available in Pakistan. This report can be used by various stakeholders in the following ways:
Policy Makers: Federal and provincial education departments can use this report to guide the implementation of foundational learning policies.
Schools: School administrators can print and distribute recommended materials for use in classrooms.
Teachers: Educators can access free online materials (available here) to support their teaching.
Students: Learners can use free online materials (available here) for supplementary reading and practice.
The Teaching and Learning Materials Mapping was launched by the Secretary, MoFEPT, Mr. Mohyuddin Wani, on 28th January, 2025.
Secretary, MoFEPT, launching the report on 28th January, 2025.
Secretary, MoFEPT, presented with the Teaching and Learning Materials Mapping report.
Maria Wyard, Head of Education, Health, and Demography at the British High Commission, with the report.
