Speech Spark ConnectEd

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Speech Spark ConnectEd

Phone-based tutoring that accelerates literacy & numeracy skills while boosting Togo rural primary grade students Social and Emotional Learning

Kara, Togo

TGO

Nonprofit

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Millions of primary-aged children in low-resource settings, including rural Togo, are enrolled in school but not acquiring foundational literacy and numeracy skills. In Togo, over 70% of students finish primary school without mastering basic reading and math, a key contributor to learning poverty, which affects over 250 million children globally. This crisis is worsened by frequent school disruptions, limited access to qualified teachers, teacher absenteeism, and a lack of tailored instruction to support struggling learners. In rural areas, poor infrastructure and limited internet access make traditional and online solutions unviable. Our solution addresses these barriers by delivering targeted, phone-based instruction via basic mobile phones, making education accessible even in the most remote or disrupted settings. We focus on children most affected by systemic inequities—those in rural, underserved communities, out-of-school youth, and students who’ve fallen behind—while also supporting their emotional and motivational needs through embedded Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). By reaching students where they are with personalized instruction, we aim to reduce learning poverty and close the foundational learning gap at scale increasing access to quality learning experiences and materials especially for those living with neither internet nor smartphones

Our solution, Speech Spark-ConnectEd, is a phone-based tutoring program that delivers personalized, low-cost instruction in literacy and numeracy to primary-grade students in rural Togo. Using basic mobile phones—no internet or smartphones required—we connect trained tutors with students through weekly phone calls and SMS lessons. Over the course of 8 weeks, learners receive tailored instruction based on their current skill level. What makes our approach unique is the integration of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies into the tutoring sessions. Tutors are trained not only to deliver academic content, but also to build students’ confidence, motivation, and emotional well-being—factors critical to long-term success. The solution uses simple voice calls and text messaging to overcome connectivity and infrastructure barriers common in underserved communities. By combining evidence-based teaching, a targeted instruction model, and SEL support, our approach ensures that children not only catch up academically but also thrive emotionally, even during school disruptions or in areas with limited educational access.

Our solution serves primary-grade students (ages 6–12) in rural and underserved communities in Togo who are at risk of falling behind or have already fallen below grade level in literacy and numeracy. These children often face limited access to quality instruction, teacher absenteeism, and frequent school disruptions, leaving them without the foundational skills they need to succeed. We also support caregivers and local educators, many of whom lack access to training or resources to help children learn effectively. Speech Spark-ConnectEd meets these needs by providing personalized, phone-based instruction that adapts to each child’s learning level, delivered by trained tutors who also offer emotional encouragement through embedded SEL strategies. The solution restores learning continuity during school closures, boosts academic performance, and improves students' self-confidence, motivation, and emotional well-being. For families and communities, it creates hope and resilience, opening doors to future education and economic opportunities. Over time, it helps break the cycle of intergenerational learning poverty by reaching those who have been left behind by conventional education systems.