USAID/READ II Activity’s Culmination Event celebrates transformative impact on education in Ethiopia 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—For six years, the READ II Activity has supported children and educators across Ethiopia, promoting education as a life-sustaining activity. The initiative’s enduring legacy was celebrated at a culmination event in Addis Ababa on May 20, 2024, bringing together education leaders, officials, students and staff members. 

Dana Beegun, Education and Youth Office Director at USAID Ethiopia, highlighted the project’s significant achievements, including reaching millions of children and preparing instructors with essential pedagogical skills.  

“Over the course of our six-year endeavor, we have witnessed a profound transformation in Ethiopia’s educational landscape,” Beegun said. “Through unwavering dedication and collaboration, over 27,000 teachers have embraced evidence-based reading pedagogy, enriching the educational experience for more than 3.5 million children across the country.” 

From rural schools to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, READ II embraced flexibility and adaptability to reach students where they were.  

Ato Mezgebu Biazin, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education’s Chief Executive for Strategic Affairs, expressed gratitude for USAID and the dedication of the program’s implementing partners and hope for continued support to meet the government’s learning objectives. 

The May 20 event provided a comprehensive overview of the activity’s impact on education in Ethiopia and offered valuable insights into improving early-grade reading, supporting education in crisis situations, providing direct support to trauma-affected students and building the capacity of teachers and educational leaders. 

FROM EARLY GRADE READING TO CRISIS RESPONSE 

Designed initially as an early-grade reading program, the USAID-funded READ II Activity sought to improve the reading proficiency of 15 million children in seven regions of Ethiopia—Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, SNNP and Tigray—in English and mother-tongue languages. 

READ II pivoted twice to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalation of armed conflict in northern Ethiopia.  

In 2022, the activity emerged as the USAID READ II Education Recovery Activity, diverting all its remaining resources to provide an education in crisis and conflict response in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions, and thereafter providing support to schools, parents and children as they returned to formal education post-conflict. 

More than 150 people attended the May 20 ceremony, including high-ranking officials and representatives from the Ministry of Education, USAID Ethiopia, Regional Education Bureaus, Creative Associates International, partner organizations, school administrators, instructors, coordinators of gender clubs, students, parents, trainers, and former and current staff members. The diverse range of attendees reflected the collaborative effort and collective commitment to enhancing educational outcomes in Ethiopia. 

The event commenced with a gallery walk, which showcased through photographs the journey of READ II from early-grade reading to crisis response. Attendees also viewed artwork created by primary school students during the education recovery phase. 

To introduce the event, three students expressed their gratitude to USAID, Creative and all stakeholders involved in ensuring their return to learning following the conflict in northern Ethiopia, underscoring the READ II activity as a catalyst for education. 

Noy Villalobos, Chief Programs Officer at Creative Associates International, recognized the important contributions from USAID, the Ministry of Education and local and international partners for their involvement in the activity’s development and execution. She discussed the activity’s accomplishments, including its pivot to address the urgent needs of students affected by the conflict through its Education Recovery efforts. Villalobos reaffirmed Creative’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia as it enhances basic education in Ethiopia. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, READ II pivoted to distance learning through radio and TV, virtual training for teachers and a hotline to engage teachers, parents and school directors. With the escalation of armed conflict in the north of Ethiopia, READ II transformed to promote education as a life-sustaining activity, providing healing and stability for those affected by the crisis. 

From providing basic supplies like furniture and tents for students in temporary learning centers to promoting healing activities like sports and art, READ II had a profound impact on students returning to normalcy after conflict. 

Tassew Zewdie, PhD, Chief of Party for READ II, and Sandy Oleksy-Ojikutu, PhD, Project Director for READ II, briefed attendees on the project’s accomplishments, impacts and lessons learned.  

They highlighted the program’s strategic use of preexisting materials, comprehensive teacher development, subject-specific mentoring, empowering instructional leadership, enhanced supervision and feedback, the vital role of parental and community support, an emphasis on psychosocial support, flexibility and adaptive management, the critical role of scenario planning, and the necessity of collaboration and coordination. 

A panel discussion also provided an opportunity for reflection and insight, as education officials and instructors underlined the successful ways that READ II helped relieve conflict-related trauma.  

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the Ministry of Education and the Regional Education Bureaus where READ II was implemented, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the project’s success. 

The READ II Activity culmination event celebrated the program’s transformative impact on education in Ethiopia and provided valuable insights for future initiatives. It highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and a holistic approach to improving educational outcomes, ultimately empowering Ethiopian children to reach their full potential.