Prof Eric A. Hanushek, Dr Rukmini Banerji win Yidan Prize

Professor Eric A. Hanushek

We’re delighted to introduce you to our 2021 laureates. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome to the Yidan Prize community.

Professor Eric A. Hanushek, 2021 Yidan Prize for Education Research Laureate

Dr Rukmini Banerji, 2021 Yidan Prize for Education Development Laureate

Dr Rukmini Banerji

Professor Eric A. Hanushek’s work changes not just schools, but systems. His research shows that it’s not simply the quantity of education people get, but the quality that boosts economic growth. As a result of his influential research, learning outcomes are now included as targets in the UN’s fourth Sustainable Development Goal: inclusive, quality education for all.

For Professor Hanushek, it’s vital that we get clear, constructive research into policymakers’ hands. To that end, he plans to use Yidan Prize funding to support a fellowship program for researchers, beginning in sub-Saharan Africa, building local research skills and capacity, and helping quality research translate into quality teaching for everyone.

Under Dr Rukmini Banerji’s leadership, Pratham Education Foundation has carried out unprecedented surveys of children’s literacy and numeracy. Her work has identified and helped close achievement gaps for children who are in school—but aren’t reading, writing and doing maths at the levels they should be.

Pratham’s ‘Teaching at the Right Level’ (TaRL) program has been used by many of India’s state governments to address the learning crisis. Through TaRL, children learn according to their level, not their age or grade, through simple, fun activities aimed at improving reading and math skills. The model is now spreading through countries across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. With Yidan Prize funding, Dr Banerji is looking to expand Pratham’s early learning programs to help children build stronger foundations, thus breaking the cycle of learning failure.

Dr Koichiro Matsuura, chairman of our independent Judging Committee and former Director-General of UNESCO, says: “The quality and diversity of this year’s nominations reflect the drive and passion around the world to unlock new approaches to education. Our nominees are working on projects that span over 130 countries and territories. They are rethinking education systems from top to bottom, tackling inequities and empowering learners. – Press release