What is Roots to Rise?
Roots to Rise is a foundational learning initiative which involves grouping students according to their learning level and teaching basic literacy and numeracy skills. Based on the Teaching at the Right Level approach pioneered and rigorously evaluated by Indian NGO Pratham, Roots to Rise deploys a unique model which unites school and community actors in pursuit of better learning outcomes.
Roots to Rise normally takes place in the classroom through a curriculum full of interactive games and activities. However, with COVID-19 keeping students away from school, Building Tomorrow has developed a remote learning platform to deliver Roots to Rise programming as the school shutdown continues. Learn more about the Roots to Rise Ewaka (at-home) concept here.

The Problem
Ugandan children are leaving primary school without the crucial ability to read or perform basic math.
A study by Uwezo Uganda found that 61% of Ugandan students in 3-7th grade couldn’t read a simple story and 48% couldn’t perform basic math operations.
When students are attending school, but aren’t learning basic skills, both students and their parents form negative views of the value of schooling. In fact, only 35% of learners complete primary school, dropping out of school before they can master essential foundations of learning.
Only 4 in 10 P3-7 students could read a story...
...while 5 out of 10 couldn't perform basic math...
...leading to only 5 out of 10 learners completing primary school.
These results are partially due to overcrowded classrooms, where teachers must manage a wide range of ages and abilities. Struggling students are consistently left behind as teachers struggle to address the variety of learning levels within their cramped classrooms. The result is that students are promoted to the next grade despite not mastering basic skills.
The Roots to Rise Approach
Click on a graphic to learn more.
Assess

Group and Teach

Re-Group

Improved Learning Outcomes

The Implementers
Community Education Volunteers & Teachers

Assess students and facilitate lessons.
The Building Tomorrow Fellow

Coordinates all participants to ensure all roles are being fulfilled successfully.
The Head
Teacher

Monitors lessons and attendance.
The Center Coordinating Tutor

Government-employed teacher trainers known as Center Coordinating Tutors (CCTs) provide mentoring on effective teaching methods.
See the Approach
Roots to Rise has helped students learn foundational skills, boosting their confidence and renewing their faith in the value of education.
One such student is Katushabe Hadijja. Before Roots to Rise, she could not read, but after just 25 days of lessons she went on to win first place in her county reading competition!
Our Results
In 2019, Roots to Rise took place at 70 schools throughout Uganda, reaching over 13,000 students who previously struggled to read and do basic math.
Of particular note was Roots to Rise exceeding the World Bank's proposed 2030 goal of halving "learning poverty" - the number of children who cannot read a basic paragraph by age 10.
2019 Literacy Results
Reader Non-Reader

51% of students who completed the Roots to Rise literacy camp could read a paragraph, compared with just 6% of their peers.
2019 Numeracy Results
Basic Math Competency Non-Numerate

43% of students who completed the Roots to Rise numeracy camp could do basic math (+ - x ÷), compared with just 2% of their peers.
Why Roots to Rise Works
Sustainability
Roots to Rise unites school and community actors to create a sustainable approach to improving learning outcomes. Teachers are engaged in a new teaching strategy, learning valuable new pedagogy. CEVs, change agents who are recruited from within the community, serve as trained aides in the classroom and community mobilizers who engage community members at home, at church, and around town. High quality implementation is also promoted through oversight from head teachers and government-employed CCTs. Fellows serve as the link between all of these participants. They ensure each actor fulfills their role, and becomes invested in the initiative. Fellows build these foundations that enable the impact to continue even after a Fellows’ placement has ended.
Active Learning
Roots to Rise is a radical departure from the static approach of typical Ugandan classrooms, where students sit at their desks and receive didactic lectures. Instead, Roots to Rise employs a child-centric approach, where students are free to explore activities for themselves, and manipulate locally-made learning aids which demonstrate key concepts. In each lesson, facilitators engage children in interactive games which make learning fun, and keep minds engaged.
Differentiated Instruction
By grouping children according to their learning level, Roots to Rise addresses reality; all students learn at different paces. In order to maximize every students’ growth, this approach allows facilitators to provide appropriate support based on students’ unique abilities and learning needs.