Improving Reading, Equity, and Accountability in the DRC – ACCELERE! Annual Report 2015

project, initially known as I-READ, was launched on June 1, 2015. The project's new name in French, ACCELERE!, translates to "Accelerate!" and reflects the project's goal of expanding access to education, improving the quality of education, and enhancing accountability in education governance. The project aims to address the high illiteracy rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which stands at around 40% according to recent surveys. The ACCELERE! project is a unique collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID). The project involves four components, with ACCELERE! being the first activity. Chemonics International leads the consortium of four national and international partners in implementing the first activity. The second activity, led by Cambridge Education, focuses on governance at the higher levels of the education hierarchy. The fourth activity, led by UNICEF, targets the most disadvantaged and excluded groups in the DRC's public education system. The third activity aims to evaluate the first, second, and fourth activities. The project's acronym in French, ACCELERE!, signifies the determination to accelerate efforts towards success and ultimately eliminate illiteracy in the DRC. The project has started on May 28, 2015, and has completed four months of activity. During this period, the project team has engaged with national and international members, identified permanent locations in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, established protocols with local partners, and finalized the initial work plan. The project's first four months have allowed the team to familiarize themselves with the challenges and specific conditions in the DRC and attempt to understand the educational capital. The team has engaged with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, to understand the context and identify areas for improvement. The project has also established a strong foundation for its future activities, including the development of a comprehensive work plan and the engagement of local partners. The project's focus on improving reading skills, equity, and accountability in education is critical to addressing the high illiteracy rate in the DRC. The project's unique collaboration between USAID and UKAID has brought together a consortium of partners with expertise in education and development. The project's commitment to accelerating efforts towards success and eliminating illiteracy in the DRC is a significant step towards improving the country's education sector. The project's progress has been marked by the establishment of a strong team, the identification of permanent locations, and the development of a comprehensive work plan. The project has also engaged with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, to understand the context and identify areas for improvement. The project's focus on improving reading skills, equity, and accountability in education is critical to addressing the high illiteracy rate in the DRC. The project's first activity, led by Chemonics International, has made significant progress in the first four months. The team has engaged with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, to understand the context and identify areas for improvement. The project has also established a strong foundation for its future activities, including the development of a comprehensive work plan and the engagement of local partners. The project's collaboration with local partners has been a key aspect of its progress. The project has established protocols with local partners, including the Ministry of Education, to ensure effective collaboration and coordination. The project's engagement with local partners has also allowed it to understand the specific challenges and conditions in the DRC and to develop targeted solutions.