Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) to Read supports efforts to improve reading outcomes among first and second-grade pupils in Nigeria.
The project builds on lessons learned from prior reading programs in Nigeria to introduce a flexible, cost-efficient early-grade reading intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.
LEARN to Read, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, is a technical assistance activity that aims to support federal and state governments in effectively utilizing their operational and technical resources to strengthen, scale, and sustain improvements in early-grade reading outcomes for pupils in grades 1 and 2.
Creative has a track record of successfully implementing education and early-grade reading reform programs in Nigeria since 2004. LEARN to Read is a continuation of two successful USAID early-grade reading programs, the Northern Education Initiative and the Northern Education Initiative Plus, which Creative implemented.
LEARN to Read builds on Nigeria’s prior reading programs, leveraging lessons learned to introduce a scalable and adaptable intervention model. The project collaborates closely with federal and state education agencies and partners to embed standard-based, context-appropriate assessments, materials, and training within policy frameworks, aiming to improve literacy skills for over 3.5 million pupils in the first and second grades.
Program goals
LEARN to Read will ensure that standard-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for more than 3.5 million pupils are embedded within the federal policy funding and monitoring frameworks. States and local authorities will be supported to have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain early grade reading reforms.
Building the capacity of educators and school administrators is key to successful early-grade reading outcomes. LEARN to Read has helped develop teacher training plans and coaching and mentoring tracking systems to help state and federal ministries carry out comprehensive training.
LEARN to Read intervention strategies will build ownership, accountability and use of data from the ground up, ensuring that stakeholders at all levels (classroom, school, community, local government area, state and federal), as well as the private sector, understand their role in improving education quality and learning. By leveraging data, policymakers and educators can make informed decisions and continuously improve early-grade reading programs.
Recognizing the critical role of parents and community leaders in supporting children’s education, LEARN to Read aims to foster these stakeholders’ active involvement in early-grade reading initiatives. By promoting awareness, mobilizing resources, and encouraging community participation, the project seeks to create an immersive reading-supportive environment for children.