USAID grant no. 527-0384-G-00-6424-00 to the United Nations Children"s Fund (UNICEF) to test its Transit to Primary Model of education in selected areas of Peru

Targets are to: train 80 specialists and 2,000 first and second grade teachers; provide refresher training to 80-120 groups of teachers; and publish 4,000 teachers" manuals, as well as basic educational and reading materials. Designed to reduce student failure, especially in the early grades, the UNICEF model focuses on: (1) simplifying curricula and ordering their priorities; (2) training teachers to vary the proportion of time devoted to different teaching/learning strategies; (3) providing adequate materials; (4) encouraging meetings with parents; (5) organizing teachers" groups to share successes and difficulties; and (6) carrying out monthly supervision. The model is already being implemented in Lima, in Chorrillos and San Martin de Porres Districts, and through the Andean Program of Struggle against Poverty (PROANDES), which works in selected provinces of Cusco, Cajamarca, and Apurimac.