USAID Okuu Keremet! Project Year 2 – Annual October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021

project is a five-year initiative implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (GOKR). The project aims to improve the quality of early grade reading and mathematics instruction in 75% of the country's schools, reaching 300,000 Grade 1-4 students over the course of the project. The project's methodology is based on evidence-based programming, capacity building, and the consistent use of data to monitor, learn from, and improve learning outcomes. To achieve its objectives, the project focuses on three key areas: improving instructional quality, enhancing formal and non-formal learning environments, and strengthening the primary education system. The project's work plan for Year 2 is structured around these objectives, with specific activities and outcomes outlined for each area. One of the key objectives of the project is to improve instructional quality in reading, numeracy, and mathematics. This involves streamlining curricula, standards, and teacher professional development materials, as well as providing administrative, technical, and programmatic support to the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) to strengthen teacher development and management systems. The project also aims to encourage the practice of skills both in and out of the classroom to accelerate learning and address inequities in access to and quality of school-based instruction. The project's approach to improving instructional quality includes developing and refining reading and math modules, piloting initial Early Grade Math Assessment (EGMA) in two languages, and administering EGMA and Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) in four languages. Additionally, the project aims to develop and digitize classroom observation tools, train trainers and district education department (DED) methodologists on classroom observation, and conduct reading classroom observations. Another key objective of the project is to improve formal and non-formal learning environments. This involves providing quality learning materials, strengthening the quality of system support provided to schools, and optimizing the GOKR's early grade learning outcomes. The project's approach to improving learning environments includes developing and refining teaching and learning materials, providing administrative, technical, and programmatic support to the MOES, and increasing support to vulnerable students. The project's third objective is to strengthen the primary education system. This involves streamlining curricula, standards, and teacher professional development materials, as well as providing administrative, technical, and programmatic support to the MOES to strengthen teacher development and management systems. The project also aims to improve pedagogical support to teachers, equip teachers to adjust instruction to diverse children based on formative assessment findings, and make reliable data available for making decisions about resource allocation and budgets. Overall, the Okuu Keremet! project aims to improve the quality of early grade reading and mathematics instruction in the Kyrgyz Republic, reaching 300,000 Grade 1-4 students over the course of the project. The project's methodology is based on evidence-based programming, capacity building, and the consistent use of data to monitor, learn from, and improve learning outcomes.