Sixth Quarterly Report / October - December 2009

The program's first quarter of the second year was marked by intense activity, with a focus on implementing innovations at the school level to enhance literacy instruction. Major achievements during this quarter included the completion of interactive multimedia modules for training professors and student teachers in Mali's Teacher Training Colleges (IFMs). The modules focused on balanced literacy instruction and were finalized after a week-long workshop in the IFM of Niono. Participants provided feedback on the content, volume, and feasibility of the interactive exercises, with positive reviews on the richness of the content and the innovative teaching methods. The program also completed the bidding process for the installation of the first group of Virtual Training Centers (VTCs) in the IFMs. A commission composed of program staff and ministry representatives evaluated the submissions of over 20 companies and selected three vendors. ImpactDev was chosen to conduct the installation of the VTCs in five IFMs, which will be equipped with 24 computers, a printer, scanner, digital camera, and other equipment to facilitate learning about reading and technology. In addition, the program launched the "In the Land of Reading" broadcasts, a signature activity aimed at improving literacy instruction. The broadcasts were designed to provide interactive radio instruction programs for teachers and students, with the goal of enhancing literacy skills in the early grades. The program also made progress in other areas, including the completion of the analysis and publication of the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) results for French and Arabic. The results showed improvements in literacy skills among students, with the greatest gains in areas where both agricultural and market access interventions were combined. The program's staff received and provided support for an audit team from the Inspector General's office in Dakar and continued to participate in meetings related to the third Education Sector Investment Program (PISE III) development process. The program also attended USAID and/or Ministry of Education organized meetings and events as needed. The following consultants supported program implementation during this period: Norma Evans, Suheila Mesahoud, Carmen Strigel, Jennifer Spratt, and Norma Evans. The program's report covers program implementation during the October to December period of 2009, organized thematically under the broad intermediate result areas. The program's focus on improving literacy instruction in Mali's early grades is a critical component of the country's education sector development. The "Road to Reading" initiative aims to enhance literacy skills among students, with a focus on balanced literacy instruction and the use of technology in schools. The program's progress in implementing innovations at the school level and launching interactive radio instruction programs is a significant step towards achieving this goal. The program's emphasis on teacher training and the use of technology in schools is also a key component of the initiative. The installation of Virtual Training Centers in the IFMs will provide teachers with access to interactive multimedia modules and other resources to enhance their literacy instruction skills. The program's focus on improving teacher training and the use of technology in schools is critical to achieving the goal of improving literacy instruction in Mali's early grades. The program's progress in other areas, including the completion of the analysis and publication of the EGRA results and the launch of the "In the Land of Reading" broadcasts, is also significant. The results of the EGRA assessment showed improvements in literacy skills among students, with the greatest gains in areas where both agricultural and market access interventions were combined. The launch of the "In the Land of Reading" broadcasts provides an additional tool for teachers and students to enhance literacy skills, with a focus on interactive radio instruction programs. Overall, the "Road to Reading" initiative is making significant progress in improving literacy instruction in Mali's early grades. The program's focus on balanced literacy instruction, teacher training, and the use of technology in schools is critical to achieving the goal of improving literacy skills among students. The program's progress in implementing innovations at the school level and launching interactive radio instruction programs is a significant step towards achieving this goal.