System enabling education officials to track book delivery throughout the system and enables parents, teachers, and local officials to receive an up-to-date information status of books.
Project Name
TrackNTrace
Location Implemented
Global
Technology Used
Communications Technology, Hardware
Competition Entered
Tracking & Tracing Books Prize
Reading Skill Targeted
Foundational, Pre-Reading, Reading, Reading Environment
Status
Winner
Amount Award
$100,000
Collaborators/Partners
World Education, Inc., Lifeline Nepal, Grameen Foundation and VOTO mobile
The Challenge
While textbooks are critical to enhancing the quality of learning, the provision of teaching and learning materials in developing countries is complex. Books are often lost at various stages of the delivery process—from the point of entry for imported textbooks, to central warehouses for nationally produced materials, to transportation across difficult or insecure routes, or even during final distribution to regional offices and classrooms. This only exacerbates the lack of textbooks and reading materials.
The Big Idea
JSI partnered with World Education, Inc. (WEI) to develop a system that combines functionality from three existing software applications. With the use of simple barcodes, it supported the tracking and tracing of textbooks by education officials throughout the system and enabled parents, teachers, and local officials to receive up-to-date information on the status of books and materials.
Results
This pilot project is now being adapted in Cambodia by World Education with funding from the World Bank's Reach for Reading Program.
Featured Innovation
Track & Trace Learning Materials
Global Reading Network's collection of resources for expanding book tracking initiatives, based on ACR GCD-funded initiatives by John Snow, Inc., and Community Systems Foundation.