USAID Learn to Read Year 3 Annual Report (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021)

The project began in 2018 and is set to end in 2023. The Activity is led by Save the Children, in partnership with Room to Read and Humanity & Inclusion, and works closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) to strengthen the Lao education system. The Activity focuses on improving reading skills for children in pre-primary, grade 1, and grade 2, with a particular emphasis on non-Lao-speaking children and children with disabilities. The project's goal is to provide high-quality supplemental materials, teacher training, and teacher support, as well as community engagement for reading and inclusive education initiatives. The Activity is implemented in four provinces of Lao PDR, covering 16 districts, and is expected to reach an estimated 65,313 children over the life of the project. The project's results framework includes three key results: increased access to inclusive teaching and learning materials for reading, improved application of inclusive pedagogical approaches for reading by teachers, principals, and MoES officials, and strengthened community engagement to create an improved home and community environment to support reading. The Activity emphasizes MoES ownership and is implemented in close partnership with local authorities at the national, provincial, district, and school level. The project also coordinates closely with other donor-funded pre-primary and primary education initiatives in Lao PDR to ensure that the systems-strengthening, school improvement, and community mobilization efforts are mutually reinforcing. The geographic coverage of the project include the provinces of Xiengkhouang, Vientiane, Champasack, and Attapeu, with specific districts listed as Khoun, Phomhong, Bachiangchaleunsouk, Sanamxai, Phoukout, Fuan, Mounlapamok, Sanxai, Pek, Meun, Pathoumphon, Samakhixay, Kham, Thoulakhom, Soukhhouma, and Vangvieng. The project's results are expected to contribute to the improvement of reading skills for all children in Lao PDR, with a focus on non-Lao-speaking children and children with disabilities. The Activity's outcomes are expected to have a positive impact on the education system in Lao PDR, leading to improved learning outcomes and improved access to quality education for all children.