Using an early grade reading instruction curriculum (EGRIC), in print and electronic format, to provide teachers with high quality reading instruction materials and resources in English and Kiswahili
Project Name
Early Grade Reading Instruction Curriculum (EGRIC)
Location Implemented
Kenya
Technology Used
Communications Technology
Competition Entered
Grant Competition 2011
Reading Skill Targeted
Pre-Reading
Status
Winner
Collaborators/Partners
Kenya National Examination Council & Association of Reading of Kenya
The Challenge
Recent research (e.g., UWEZO, 2010) indicates that despite increased school enrollment throughout Kenya, learning outcomes in reading remain low. Many factors slow down the development of reading skills among children. Key among them is lack of, or inadequate, instructional materials and resources and inappropriate instructional methods (Piper, 2010).
The Big Idea
The EGRIC project developed teacher capacity to teach reading in the primary grades using high quality, multi-genre, culturally relevant, and age-appropriate instructional materials and resources in English and Kiswahili. An early grade reading instruction curriculum (EGRIC) was developed and made available in print and electronic format on the University of Nairobi's e-learning portal.
Results
176 teachers were prepared to teach reading through in-class training. On-going support was provided to recent graduates through face -to-face support (school visits) and SMSs once a week. These teachers improved the reading skills of 7,920 students. The Government of Kenya, with the support of USAID, will support a national pilot of several reading instruction innovations piloted. The EGRIC project will inform reading instructional methodologies in 21 public primary teacher training colleges (PTTCs).
Blogs and Media
Research and Resources
ComTech, University of Nairobi / Hellen Inyega
University of Nairobi ComTech shares their ACR GCD-funded innovation to support teacher development in Kenya using high-quality training materials in English and Kiswahili.
