At Matlapeng Primary School in Mafeteng, Lesotho, 302 learners move through the familiar rhythm of a school day.

In grade 6, 27 children – 13 boys and 14 girls – gather around their classroom tables, with books and mathematical instruments at the ready.

As the lesson begins, the same three children eagerly raise their hands to solve problems at the board. Others lower their eyes, quietly working at their desks, hoping not to be called.

Their teacher, Mr. Reitsemang Liahelo, has seen this many times before: some learners thriving, while others may sit unnoticed. For him, the scene raises a persistent question: Am I truly reaching every child, helping them master the skills they need to succeed in literacy, mathematics and beyond?

Data that makes a difference

Across Lesotho, thousands of teachers face the same challenge. Many children advance through grades without fully mastering foundational reading and math skills.

The 2023 Lesotho National Assessment of Educational Progress (LNAEP) revealed the scale of the problem: fewer than half of grade 4 and 6 students were meeting expected literacy and numeracy standards. Without detailed, actionable evidence, it was difficult for teachers, school leaders and policy makers to know where to focus support.

Administered by the Examinations Council of Lesotho with support from UNICEF through a GPE system capacity grant, the LNAEP is helping to fill this data gap. The assessments provide a clear picture of learner performance across the country, while also delivering district-, school- and learner-level insights that teachers can act on immediately.

Beyond test scores, the assessments collect information on children’s home environments, access to books and support systems – shedding light on social and economic factors that shape learning outcomes.

From evidence to action

When Matlapeng Primary participated in the 2023 assessment, the results gave teachers skill-specific feedback for every learner.

Mr. Liahelo discovered patterns he hadn’t noticed before: many children could perform basic number operations but struggled with word problems; others could decode words but had difficulty grasping meaning.

Armed with this evidence, he reshaped his teaching. Daily reading circles encourage learners to read aloud and discuss stories together, improving comprehension. In mathematics, group problem-solving tasks inspire learners to explain their reasoning to each other, boosting both skills and confidence.

At the same time, he engaged parents more directly. “During meetings, I can now point to exact areas like reading comprehension, showing parents how they can support their child at home,” he explains.

The impact has been visible. Learners who once avoided reading aloud now volunteer eagerly. A student who rarely spoke in class now reads with pride—a small but powerful signal of change.

Harnessing learning data to transform education

With strong encouragement from GPE, Lesotho developed its partnership compact in 2024 in collaboration with all local education partners.

To drive system transformation, the compact prioritizes improving foundational literacy and numeracy skills for the most marginalized and underserved learners across early childhood and basic education.

One key initiative identified to support this priority is strengthening the use of learning assessment data to enhance teaching and learning outcomes and inform education sector planning and priorities. With support from GPE’s system capacity grant, Lesotho’s use of learning assessment data is now more targeted and effective than ever.

A vision for every child

For Mr. Liahelo, the future is full of promise. He envisions classrooms where every child is seen, supported, and able to progress with confidence. “These assessments don’t just measure learning; they guide us to focus on areas that need the most attention. If we use them well, no child will be left behind,” he says.

With stronger evidence and improved teaching strategies, that vision is becoming a reality, one learner at a time – at Matlapeng Primary and across Lesotho.