Student from Rwanda with a Correctbook

In 2014, Correctbook was founded with the idea of making a positive contribution to education and widespread illiteracy. This by developing erasable school materials and then donating them to children in Africa. We reached the milestone this week that we have now helped more than 700,000 children for one year with erasable writing materials. And we couldn’t be prouder!

Because imagine this: you go to school every day, and yet you hardly learn anything. This is the reality for millions of children worldwide, including in Rwanda. Fortunately, Correctbook and Edukans are showing that change is possible. Together, we’ve developed an approach that truly works. Here’s how we’re doing it!

A school full of children, but little learning

In Rwanda, nearly every child goes to school – an incredible achievement (97.7% in 2016)! But learning? That’s another story. Many third-grade children can’t read or do math at the level they need. Girls and children from poor families often lag behind the most. Without these basic skills, their opportunities in life remain limited. We believe this must change.

The magic of collaboration

This is where the power of collaboration comes in. With their Teaching with Impact programme (TwI), Edukans has developed a way to train teachers so that children learn more actively and effectively. Correctbook added something unique to the mix: our erasable notebooks! They allow endless practice without wasting paper – sustainable and effective.

Together, we tested this idea at eight primary schools in Rwanda, supported by Save the Children Rwanda. Teachers received intensive training, children got Correctbooks, and off they went: practicing daily for ten weeks.

 

What we did

A great plan is one thing, but does it actually work? We made sure to thoroughly evaluate the program:

  • Tests before and after: Children took tests in writing and maths, before and after the programme.
  • Comparison groups: Results from participating schools were compared with those from non-participating schools.
  • Focus on young children: Both kindergarteners and second-grade students took part.
  • Daily Correctbook use: Teachers used Correctbooks not just for writing but also for practicing math and other subjects.

This gave us a clear picture of the impact of our approach.

The results: wow!

What happened after ten weeks? The numbers speak for themselves:

  • Improved writing skills: Especially young children made remarkable progress, highlighting the importance of investing in quality education early on.
  • Boosted math skills: While writing was a key focus, math skills also improved.
  • Increased motivation: Both children and teachers were enthusiastic. Correctbooks made learning more fun and engaging.

Children in urban areas performed slightly better than those in rural areas, likely due to better access to materials and infrastructure. But progress was visible everywhere.

Other research by Edukans also showed that students are less afraid of making mistakes when they know they can easily erase them. This fosters a learning environment where experimenting and repeating are encouraged – and where making mistakes actually becomes a step forward!

Why this matters

Reading, writing, and math are the foundation for a future full of opportunities. Without these skills, children start at a disadvantage. With tools like Correctbook and well-trained teachers, we can turn the tide. And not just in Rwanda – this approach can work anywhere in the world.

Writing the future together

This is just the beginning. Correctbook and Edukans aim to reach many more schools in Rwanda and beyond. Every child deserves a fair chance at quality education. And you can help! With every Correctbook product you purchase, you directly support projects like this.

Check out our shop and contribute to a world without illiteracy. Together, we can write a future full of opportunities.

Thank you for reading. Feel free to share this story, because together, we can truly make a difference!