Challenge
In Zambia, the Ministry of General Education began implementing the Primary Literacy Programme (PLP) in 2013 to serve students from pre-primary through grade 7 across the country. However, several challenges to successful implementation of the PLP remain. These include inadequate teacher training, insufficient student resources, and a lack of community involvement in education.
The USAID Let’s Read Project focuses on improving reading outcomes for early-grade students from pre-primary through grade 3. The project seeks to increase the fidelity of the PLP and support the education system at all levels with a whole school-whole system approach.
Key Activities
USAID Let’s Read staff conduct the following activities:
- Develop books and teaching and learning materials
- Provide educators with professional development in evidence-based reading instruction
- Develop and implement parent, community, and private sector engagement campaigns
- Implement a Performance Tracking System (PTS) to help support the objectives of the PLP
- Implement a pilot study that focuses on students who are hearing impaired and so require a different teaching approach
Impact
- Reach over 4,250 Zambian schools with reading interventions, including 1.4 million students in pre-primary (kindergarten) and grades 1, 2, and 3
- Procure and deliver over 5 million books, teacher’s guides, and other instructional materials
- Train over 20,000 teachers in literacy instruction, who will receive mentorship and support
Learn More
Project Dashboard
https://usaidzambia-letsread-project.edc.org/
PROJECT DIRECTOR
![Stefan McLetchie](https://www.edc.org/system/files/styles/media_thumbnail/private/staffimg/7BFD7A476CE61A7AAB19E61F50BB4903.jpg?itok=RXTCJlqH)
EDC Staff
![Denise Clarke](https://www.edc.org/system/files/styles/media_thumbnail/private/staffimg/138144892756D8F8BA3D3EEBC0885D92.jpg?itok=4DeGRusn)
DURATION
2019–Present
FUNDED BY
U.S. Agency for International Development
PARTNERS
Resonance, VVOB, Kentalis International