DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 20 -- IN the quiet corridors of primary schools across Ludewa District, a quiet revolution is taking place, one page at a time. For years, the Tanzanian education system has grappled with a learning crisis that exists despite high enrolment rates. Children are in classrooms, but are they learning?

According to Uwezo Tanzania Executive Director, Baraka Mgohamwende, the data tells a sobering story. “In 2011, we released our first report on childrens learning which showed that in Tanzania, out of every 10 children aged 5 to 17, most were failing to master three Rs: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (locally known as KKK -Kusoma, Kuandika na Kuhesabu) at a basic level or handle simple arithmetic,” he said. By th...