Rwanda Selected as Model Country at International Literacy Day

The event took place on September 7th, 2012. Rwanda was one of two countries chosen to present, along with another country not specified in the information. The Rwanda delegation included a representative from the Rwanda Education Board (REB), Norma Evans, Technical Director of the Literacy, Language, and Learning Initiative (L3), and Caroline Dusabe, Kinyarwanda Team Leader for L3. The delegation highlighted Rwanda Reads, a four-year REB initiative launched in July, which aims to promote literacy by increasing the availability of recreational reading materials, improving literacy levels, and encouraging a culture of reading. Rwanda Reads focuses on early grade reading, which is the primary focus of the International Literacy Day event. The initiative emphasizes the importance of developing fundamental reading skills in the early years, necessary for further learning. L3, a partner of Rwanda Reads, focuses on supporting the teaching and learning of reading skills in primary grades 1 through 4. The project provides expertise for training teachers in effective literacy practices and creates learning materials to support and enrich curricula. Rwanda was selected for this honor due to its dedication to promoting literacy, as evident in initiatives such as Rwanda Reads and the development of national reading standards. According to Norma Evans, Rwanda's commitment to literacy has made it a model for other countries. Prior to the International Literacy Day event, the delegation visited Oyster Adams Bilingual School in Washington, DC, to gain a clearer understanding of proven literacy techniques in the classroom. The delegation also participated in the Mobile Education Alliance International Symposium, which aimed to bring international technology specialists together to improve education through the innovative use of mobile technologies. The symposium was held in Washington on September 5-6th. International Literacy Day was inaugurated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1967, and its annual observance draws attention to the need to promote world literacy.