Introduction          Phase 1 - Power Up          

What Is Systems Change—Really?

Let us be honest—systems change often sounds like a buzzword. But at its core, it means this:

Reshaping the conditions—like mindsets, relationships, policies, and funding flows—that shape how education systems function and evolve.

It helps us move beyond short-term fixes toward lasting transformation. In education, this can look like creating environments that foster deeper learning, stronger relationships, and broader opportunity for all learners.

This might include:

• Preparing educators using approaches rooted in care, collaboration, and context
• Designing funding systems that prioritize real learning over enrollment numbers and standardized test outcomes
• Creating space for community voice to guide priorities and decisions

You may already be a systems changemaker—even if you have never called it that.

What Makes Systems Change Meaningful—and Actionable

Based on IREX’s global experience and research, we believe there are five essential elements that help systems change efforts grow and take hold:

1. Rooted in Context – Grounded in local realities and led by those closest to the issue.
2. Collaborative – Powered by cross-sector relationships and inclusive participation.
3. Adaptive – Open to reflection, feedback, and learning.
4. Coherent – Structured around aligned goals, resources, and roles.
5. Opportunity-Based – Focused on fair access, balanced support, and shared ownership of outcomes.

These elements enable systems to shift not only what they deliver—but how they behave over time (Meadows, 2008; Cabaj & Tamarack Institute, 2019; Kessler, 2021).

But meaningful systems change also depends on the people driving it. Through our research, partnerships, and programs, we identified 10 core principles that reflect how systems-oriented leaders think, act, and adapt in complex environments:

1. Embracing Complexity
   Understand that change is nonlinear—expect twists, feedback, and learning along the way.
2. Listening to Multiple Voices
   Include many different perspectives, especially from those most impacted.
3. Building to Sustain
   Design change that lasts rooting it in policy, funding, and local ownership.
4. Mapping Systems and Actors
   See the full picture of how the parts connect and influence each other.
5. Collaborating Across Sectors
   Work across boundaries—education intersects with health, labor, climate, and more.
6. Adapting as You Learn
   Stay flexible, using real-time learning to evolve strategies.
7. Identifying Leverage Points
   Focus energy where small shifts can unlock big transformation.
8. Strengthening Relationships
   Trust and alignment enable long-term change.
9. Focusing on Root Causes and Patterns
   Address the deeper forces, beyond surface-level symptoms.
10. Cultivating Continuous System Evolution
    Foster systems that learn, grow, and adapt over time.

These principles are already being put into practice by education changemakers around the world.

In Kenya, IREX and its local partners introduced play-based learning in coastal communities by aligning with the country’s rollout of a new competency-based curriculum (CBC). Early on, the team recognized that teachers were still learning how to apply the CBC in practice and needed additional support to implement it in learner-centered ways. In response, Kenya Play collaborated with education authorities to co-design teacher training, coaching, and classroom strategies that blended play-based pedagogy with CBC goals. By aligning with national priorities, investing in local implementation, and equipping teachers to lead change, the initiative demonstrated how learner-centered practices can take root within a shifting education system.

Globally, other changemakers are also leading bold systems efforts.

In Côte d’Ivoire, the Jacobs Foundation’s TRECC initiative brought together government, private sector, and community stakeholders to strengthen education quality through aligned investment and shared goals.

In India, Pratham and state education authorities partnered to embed the Teaching at the Right Level approach into classrooms, aligning instruction with students’ actual learning levels. By combining local leadership, national policy, and practical teacher tools, they shifted instructional practice at scale and laid the foundation for improved learning outcomes.

These examples show how systems change principles can be a roadmap for lasting transformation in education.

Ready To Explore More? 

We invite you to download our two guiding resources:

What Is Systems Change?: A Quick Guide for Education Changemakers
Breaks down the mindset, elements, and shifts that characterize systems transformation.

System Change Principles in Practice: Education Changemakers Around the World
 Outlines the ten core principles and features examples from around the world.

Take Action: Start the Challenge

Are you ready to get started on your changemaker journey? We welcome you to open your  Education Systems Changemakers Challenge Workbook and complete:

Step 1: Dive Into Systems Change
Ground in your purpose. What fuels your desire to transform education?

Step 2: Check Your Systems Change Pulse
Reflect on how systems thinking shows up in your day-to-day work.

Step 3: Gather the Must-Have Ingredients
Identify the tools, collaborators, and support you need to move forward.

We would love to hear from you! Please share one reflection or commitment using #IREXSystemsChangemakers and connect with others on the journey. We welcome you to post the first step image to help draw attention to your journey. 

Coming Soon

In Phase 2 – Level Up, we will dive deeper into how changemakers sharpen their systems leadership by building trust, naming structural barriers, and co-creating actions with others.

Follow us on LinkedIn @IREX and stay tuned for the next phase of the journey.