“Our Bright Future!” is a comprehensive initiative in Mozambique, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition project, aiming to address food insecurity and literacy challenges by expanding bilingual education and enhancing school feeding programs.
Mozambique faces interconnected challenges of food insecurity and deficiencies in its early grade school system. With less than half of Mozambican children completing primary school and high rates of teacher absenteeism, the country’s educational outcomes lag behind global standards. While progress has been made in improving food security, Mozambique still ranks low on the Human Development Index, indicating a pressing need for comprehensive interventions to address these issues and build a sustainable foundation for the future.
“Our Bright Future!”, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition project, is led by Counterpart International. As an implementing partner, Creative leads curriculum development and education capacity building activities that seamlessly extend the successful bilingual materials and approaches developed under previous USAID and USDA investments in Mozambique. Specifically, Creative aims to expand bilingual education in Maputo Province, improving the literacy of school-aged children.
Program goals
“Our Bright Future!” aims to significantly boost literacy rates among school-aged children in Maputo Province, utilizing standardized assessments and literacy rate data as metrics. By implementing tailored bilingual education programs and providing quality instruction and learning materials, the program seeks to improve reading and writing skills, ultimately leading to higher literacy rates and better educational outcomes for children in the region.
Through targeted teacher professional development initiatives and support systems, “Our Bright Future!” endeavors to enhance teaching quality and reduce rates of teacher absenteeism. By closely monitoring teacher attendance records and student performance indicators, the program aims to ensure that teachers are equipped with the necessary skills and resources to deliver quality instruction consistently, thereby improving overall educational outcomes and fostering a conducive learning environment for students.
“Our Bright Future!” seeks to expand access to bilingual educational resources, particularly in Xirhonga and Xichangana languages, as evidenced by distribution records and increased student engagement in learning activities. By providing students with relevant and culturally sensitive learning materials, the program aims to enhance their learning experiences and promote greater participation and retention in school, ultimately contributing to improved educational outcomes and literacy levels in Mozambique.
“Our Bright Future!” aims to strengthen linkages between local and national decision-makers in the education sector, leading to improved collaboration and coordination. By fostering participation in decision-making processes and promoting the implementation of evidence-based policies and strategies, the program seeks to create a more cohesive and efficient education system in Mozambique, ultimately benefiting students, teachers, and communities alike.
As a result of “Our Bright Future!” interventions, Mozambique anticipates long-term improvements in food security and literacy rates. These improvements will be tracked through longitudinal studies and national surveys, providing valuable insights into the program’s impact on the overall development and well-being of the country’s population. By addressing the interconnected challenges of food insecurity and education, the program aims to lay a sustainable foundation for socio-economic growth and prosperity in Mozambique.