Minutes - Activity Implementation Cooperative Agreement No. AID-532-A-13-00003 (Enrichment Initiative to Increase Literacy at the Primary School Level)

The project aims to improve literacy levels among primary school students in Jamaica. The project began in 2013 and is scheduled to conclude in 2016. The project team consists of representatives from the Digicel Foundation, the MoE, and USAID. The team meets monthly to discuss project progress, address challenges, and plan for future activities. The project manager, Dane Richardson, oversees project implementation and ensures that the project stays on track. The MoE Enrichment Specialist, Shauner Murray, serves as the liaison between the MoE and the project team, providing technical advice and support to the project. The project has made significant progress in renovating schools, delivering items, and conducting in-service teacher training. By the end of the quarter, the project team aims to establish enrichment centers in 23 of 24 schools, complete a detailed inventory of items at all established centers, and finalize the federal financial form and tax report. The project team also plans to host a team work plan meeting to discuss the year three work plan. The project has also made progress in developing project documents, including the draft project steering committee terms of reference and the draft sustainability plan. The project team has identified the need to include model lesson plans that incorporate technology, and plans to have teachers currently involved in the program work on developing these lesson plans. The project has received support from various stakeholders, including the MoE, USAID, and the Digicel Foundation. The project team has also identified the need for a sustainability plan to ensure the continuation of the project's impact after the project concludes. The project team plans to develop a comprehensive sustainability plan that includes strategies for maintaining the project's momentum and ensuring the long-term impact of the project. The project has also made progress in addressing challenges and issues, including the need for the MoE to be more involved in the project's implementation. The project team has identified the need for the MoE to be more aware of the project's activities and to be more involved in the project's decision-making process. The project team has also identified the need for the project to be more transparent and to involve stakeholders in the project's implementation. Overall, the Enrichment Initiative to Increase Literacy at the Primary School Level is making significant progress in improving literacy levels among primary school students in Jamaica. The project team is working closely with stakeholders to ensure the project's success and to ensure that the project's impact is sustained after the project concludes.