Taking an evidence-based lens on the disparity existing among learners.
A socioeconomic disadvantage gap often results in disparities in academic achievement and learning attitudes, and such differences can be observed as early as in kindergarten.
To shift future outcomes of children from low-SES (socioeconomic status) backgrounds alongside national efforts to tackle the systemic barriers facing socioeconomic disadvantage, we need more direct ways to supplement classroom instruction and enhance learner effectiveness, by introducing more holistic, approaches beyond traditional methods.
This white paper discusses the interventions for Singapore to address the SES-related gap at primary school, taking reference from published global evidence with insights from local stakeholders, to draw out considerations for design and implementation in the Singapore context.
This white paper informs the strategy for our Young Learners Fund.
Download Towards Greater Equity Among Young Learners in Singapore
This research study aims to directly inform the direction of our new Mental Wellbeing work, by extracting a clear understanding of the science behind the mental wellbeing of children and young persons in Singapore. Drawing from relevant scientific disciplines, this white paper will conceptualize a developmental trajectory of mental wellbeing through childhood and the adolescence stage,before the average age onset of mental health symptoms. We will attempt to synthesize key factors across all available studies that influence mental wellbeing and highlight evidence-based practices for early mental health promotion and prevention.
The paper is underway, expected completion in January 2026.
With Southeast Asia’s recent economic growth, there has been greater government and parental spending on education, thus increasing access to education across much of the region. However, despite this progress, significant educational challenges remain, especially for disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
Technology presents an opportunity to complement the work of educators in driving improvements to learning outcomes. Yet, in the region, EdTech has remained largely the preserve of more affluent consumers, and its potential to improve access to quality education for under-served groups has not yet been realized.
This 2021 paper presents an overview of the status of education and use of technology to support education (EdTech) in five Southeast Asian markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
This paper informed the Octava Social Innovation Challenge.
Download EdTech in Southeast Asia
The education sector in Timor has undergone significant challenges and reforms since the country gained independence in 2002. The nation,faces both opportunities and challenges in terms of improving access to education, quality of education and educational outcomes.
Given minimal international investment and limited philanthropic presence in Timor, we believe that a landscape of the context of the opportunities as well as a case for philanthropic collaboration could result in an unusual and unprecedented coalition for education support in Timor from across philanthropy whilst also building a stronger understanding in Timor of what philanthropy could be and could do. This education landscape research is committed to a process that is open, inclusive, country-led, going beyond the traditional aid-sector country analyses to focus specifically on philanthropy’s levers and potential value-add.
The paper is underway, expected completion in October 2025.