USAID Zambia Let’s Read Project

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 focused on improving reading outcomes for early-grade students from pre-primary through grade 3. The project sought 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 conducted the following activities:

• Developed books and teaching and learning materials
• Provided educators with professional development in evidence-based reading instruction
• Developed and implemented parent, community, and private sector engagement campaigns
• Implemented a Performance Tracking System (PTS) to help support the objectives of the PLP
• Implemented a pilot study that focuses on students who are hearing impaired and so require a different teaching approach

Our Impact

• Reached over one million learners and 24,000 educators from pre-primary through Grade 3
• Distributed over 5 million books and instructional materials to support classroom learning
• Mobilized $2.5 million through public-private partnerships to enhance literacy resources and digital education solutions
• Supported the launch of a national Performance Tracking System covering nearly 5,000 schools across 68 districts